Bush aide likely high court nominee

LOS ANGELES TIMES ^ | 1/31/02 | DAVID G. SAVAGE

[Afronaut]

WASHINGTON -- White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales, the soft- spoken son of migrant farm workers, has emerged as the overwhelming favorite for a Supreme Court nomination in the months ahead, a move that would give President Bush a historic and politically powerful chance to name the first Latino to the nation's highest court.

[Afronaut]

Oh well...

[Admin Moderator]

Let's stick with original titles. Also, LA Times and Washington Post material must be excerpted. You have been here long enough to know that. Thank you.

[Afronaut]

"The process could repeat itself. "He has a huge lead over everyone else," one administration official said of Gonzales.

If Bush names Gonzales to replace ailing Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, a prospect that is becoming more likely, conservatives worry that the president will shift the high court to the left, not the right, on key issues such as affirmative action and abortion.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

If Bush names Gonzales to replace ailing Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, a prospect that is becoming more likely, conservatives worry that the president will shift the high court to the left, not the right, on key issues such as affirmative action and abortion.

Two of the major reasons why the GOP gets destroyed by suburban women and moderates in elections are because of vitriol in these areas. Maybe by exercising some pragmatism instead of doing the spittle spraying screams, it will easier to back out of some of the more liberal positions by electing Republicans instead of handing votes to Dems (who will demagogue the issues and expand the programs).

[AppyPappy]

You mean we should bring in liberals in order to pander to those people who don't vote for us anyway? Are you working for the DNC?

[Wait4Truth]

Gonzales is not a liberal. He voted against parental notification. This will set off another firestorm on FR, of course. However, when George W. Bush ran for office, he said over and over again that he would have no abortion litmus test. Roe vs Wade is not going to be overturned - not by this President or any other. That's just reality. Gonzales is very strong in other areas that are important to the President. The one-issue abortion voters probably didn't vote for him in the first place since he stated early on he would have no abortion litmus test on his judges. The Bush-haters will have a field day with this but most Americans will understand and welcome the first Latino on the bench. Gonzales is very conservative on a lot of issues. I have to go...I know the flames will come swiftly....but it's New Year's Eve and some things just have to get done. Happy New Year!!

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Paid by the DNC. I've got Hillary's # programmed into my cell phone.

[AppyPappy]

Roe vs Wade is not going to be overturned - not by this President or any other. That's just reality.

Neither was slavery.

Exactly HOW is he a conservative? Is he a strong conservative like John Paul Stevens?

[madfly]

Full Text (Detroit News)

Lott clouds U-M lawsuit
His resignation may alter Bush stance on affirmative action

By Jodi S. Cohen / The Detroit News

WASHINGTON -- The Trent Lott affair has complicated President Bush's decision whether to intervene in the U.S. Supreme Court's review of the University of Michigan's affirmative-action admissions policies, experts say.

If the Bush administration decides to oppose affirmative action, it must file a so-called Friend of the Court or amicus brief by Jan. 16.

Judging by past performance, most experts would have expected the administration to side with opponents of affirmative action. But the Senate majority leader's resignation after a lengthy national flap over apparently pro-segregation remarks may have changed that equation.

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in late March on two lawsuits opposing U-M's affirmative-action policies. The court will decide whether a racially diverse student body is a legally acceptable reason for colleges and universities to give a boost to African-American, Hispanic and Native American applicants. Its decision could affect colleges and universities nationwide.

A brief from the administration would carry considerable force -- the weight of the U.S. Department of Justice and the extensive law enforcement and financial powers of the executive branch.

Solicitor General Ted Olson, who represents the president before the Supreme Court, is reportedly eager for the administration to take a stand against U-M's policies. But Bush's political advisers, and White House counsel Alberto Gonzales, worry that an anti-affirmative action message would alienate Hispanic and African-American voters, who the Republican Party has worked to court over the years.

[madfly]

ping

[Afronaut]

"Gonzales is very conservative on a lot of issues"
Rhino.

Bush has defined himself enought for me this year.

[Texas_Jarhead]

tell me again why 'most Americans will understand and welcome the first Latino on the bench." Because he is hispanic? so what. Only ethnic and race hustlers care about that. Bush could appoint a Martian for all I care, as long as it's a conservative Martian.

[AppyPappy]

Still waiting on the Bushbots to show us how this nominee is a "conservative".

"'e said I transgressed a law. That's good enough for me with old Dinsey. 'e didn't want to nail me head to the floor. I 'ad to insist".

[MissAmericanPie]

Oh yeah, of course your right, incremental backward steps are the way to go. Retreat! Retreat from conservatism while there is still time!! Win at all costs, especially by ditching your principles.

Many Bush hangers on, hanging by their finger nails for the one and only express reason that he can stack the court with conservatives are obviously in for a long empty fall. No worry though, they can still find reasons to excuse him, like you just did.

[Dog Gone]

He's a strict constructionist. Even the ONE CASE that one-issue conservatives use to castigate Gonzales, a parental notification case in Texas, is an example of where he interpeted the law instead of writing a new one.

Gonzales would be a terrific Justice, and I hope Bush nominates him when the time comes.

[AppyPappy]

Exactly how is he a "conservative"?

[Wait4Truth]

He's a strict constructionist. Even the ONE CASE that one-issue conservatives use to castigate Gonzales, a parental notification case in Texas, is an example of where he interpeted the law instead of writing a new one.

The Bush-haters only want the "interpreted" when it suits their aims. A "strict constructionist", which "true" conservatives always say they want, is not acceptable if it does not fit in with their demands. While running for the presidency, George W. Bush stated over and over again that he would appoint "strict constructionists"...he is holding to his word, as I expected. Go, Gonzales!

[PhiKapMom]

Gonzales would be a terrific Justice, and I hope Bush nominates him when the time comes.

My sentiments exactly. Would be nice to have someone else on the Supreme Court that is a strict "Constitutionalist" in addition to the several judges on there now. Don't want Supreme Court justices or any other judges "making" the law instead of interpreting the law whether it be liberal or conservative.

Have noticed over the years that when judges "interpret" instead of "make" laws, rulings come down in favor of conservatives the vast majority of the time. It seems that some conservatives haven't figured that out yet or refuse to acknowledge -- better to push one's agenda than recognize reality.

[AppyPappy]

Exactly how is he a "conservative"?

[AppyPappy]

Exactly how is he a "conservative"?