ABC radio news and NYT speculate - Bush has decided-Specter called to WH

ABC News | 07/18/05 | self

[Texas Federalist]

I'd take Clement over O'conner.

This kind of reasoning will also get us Gonzales for Stevens and will leave us basically unchanged. We need 3 conservative nominees, not three more conservative nominees than the justice they are replacing.

[Texas Federalist]

The political whackjobs are the people who drive and define the debate for the rest of the country.

[johnb838]

Yeah, the SC nominations are the ONLY reason a lot of people voted for Arbusto.

[traviskicks]

I am in favor of:

http://www.neoperspectives.com/janicerogersbrown.htm

[johnb838]

I'm in favor of JRB too. She would be Magnificent.

[Hand em their arse]

Does anyone actually think that if he nominates a hispanic, or African American (such as when Thomas was apponited), that it will really change the way that minority group would vote?? This is really becoming stupid!

Look, the majority of African-Americans and Hispanics vote liberal... Deal with it! How about we actually make decisions that will reflect true conservative values which will then in turn solidify our base voters... If the MOST QUALIFIED candidate happens to be African-American or Hispanic, great! Then let's nominate them, but keep Affirmative Action and quotas out of our SCOTUS nomination process...

[Iwo Jima]

...some of the candidates that you might prefer might not be willing to go through the meat-grinder of the confirmation process...

You raise a good point, but one which I have a different take on. The future course of the Supreme Court is that it will be anything but the collegial body which it has been in the part. It is becoming more like the Senate, with lines sharply drawn over the proper role of government. The recent eminent domain case most clearly demonstrated this fissure.

That being the case, one attribute of any appointee must be not just their judicial philosophy but their moral fortitude. They must be psychologically ready for this grueling fight.

If someone is unwilling to go through the meat grinder judicial process, then it's best that they not do so, as they would probably not be stalwart in their decisions on the bench. I think that Justice Thomas has been as bold as he has been in part BECAUSE his confirmation process was what it was (not that I would wish that on anyone).

Judge Clement in my opinion does not have this "kiss my ass" quality. Janice Rogers Brown has it. Judge Luttig has it. Edith Jones definitely has it (although I've disagreed with her decisions, she's is very strong-willled).

The next one or two Supreme Court justices will determine the fate of our Republic. It is no time for consensus mainstream unknowns. Proven foot soldiers for the Constitution are all that can be considered.

[GraniteStateConservative]

I simply disagree with this asessment. Look, most of us here on FR are political WHACKJOBS, got that?

Laa, Laaa, Laaaa... I can't hear you.

Seriously, it's funny the lack of perspective in this FR fishbowl.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Hey, I like the phrase used by Paradox at #538:
"Gold Standard" of FreeRepublic.!!!

Of course we need to nail down and establish what the Gold Standard is....Hmmm!

[JohnnyZ]

Look, the majority of African-Americans and Hispanics vote liberal... Deal with it!

And why? Because of defeatests like you with your self-fulfilling prophecies. "Oh, gee, we can't get black people to vote for us, no sense wasting time and money trying."

And Hispanics vote fairly conservative, they're a key swing vote, in case you hadn't noticed.

[theophilusscribe]

N. Sanders Sauls?

[Freepdonia]

This kind of reasoning will also get us Gonzales for Stevens and will leave us basically unchanged.

I would be unhappy with Gonzalez instead of O'Connor because that wouldn't change anything, but Gonzalez over Stevens? I'd take that right now easily.

[Dave S]

Look, most of us here on FR are political WHACKJOBS, got that?

LOL. Isnt that the truth. Those who think we are representative of anything are deluded. They ought to watch the Tonight Show occasionally. That will bring them back to political reality.

[doc]

Bush's legacy is already shot. Open borders, excessive spending, redistributing wealth, and a bungled war just to name a few.

[conservativebabe]

The Hispanic vote is an interesting one. It seems Hispanics have the Dem mentality of the little guy needing help from the government, but on the other hand, are very family oriented people, so values are important. If we can continue to educate the Hispanic population on Repulican policies, it will continue to turn in our favor, I believe.

[JohnnyZ]

It seems Hispanics have the Dem mentality of the little guy needing help from the government

I've heard that a lot but what I've seen among Hispanics is a strong desire for the government to mind it's own business and let me run my business. And if I'm busting my butt doing construction all day there's no way I want my money paying for somebody else to sit on their butt.

It may just be who one knows.

[mosquitobite]

Look, the majority of African-Americans and Hispanics vote liberal... Deal with it!
And why? Because of defeatests like you with your self-fulfilling prophecies. "Oh, gee, we can't get black people to vote for us, no sense wasting time and money trying."

And Hispanics vote fairly conservative, they're a key swing vote, in case you hadn't noticed.

How many more blacks did we get by naming Thomas?
Overall, it shows the party is better than Dems at promoting, not on color, but on qualification.

Since we're supposedly against affirmative action for that reason, making a decision on color (in order to GAIN VOTES), is absolutely despicable.

I am a CONSERVATIVE, not a Republican. I vote on the issues of taxes, fiscal responsibility, and smaller government. You tell me how the current Congress & Pres have lived up to their supposed "conservative" promises? They gave us lower taxes as a carrot on a stick. Where oh where did Newt go??

[Mad Mammoth]

I say it will be Pinellas County Florida Probate Judge George W. Greer.
Only if Greer called and told him that's who it needed to be. Greer is actually running the government.

The frightening part is, Greer and the rest of his black-robed emperors aren't too far from that. How long will it be before the Supreme Court picks IT'S OWN judges?

I say, just give it time.

[Dave S]

If the MOST QUALIFIED candidate happens to be African-American or Hispanic, great! Then let's nominate them, but keep Affirmative Action and quotas out of our SCOTUS nomination process...

When you get to the short list category, there typically isnt a "most qualified candidate". All are about equal. Also what criteria are you going to use? How long they have been on the bench? Their past rulings? Their character? Their judicial philosophy? When you are at this level there is no clear criterion like a batting average in the Baseball. It is all subjective. So you find an judge you like who meets your criteria, you decide on any other soft criteria like race or gender, and then you take into consideration political considerations like the ability to get through the process.

By the way the reason that there werent woman on the court prior to Sandra Day O'Connor was that until the 60's very few women were admitted to law school and those who graduated were offered jobs as secretaries like Sandra Day O'Connor. Today women represent close to fifty percent of the lawyers in this country. There is no reason that Ruth Bader Ginsburg should be the only woman on the Supreme Court unless those making the decisions are overtly using gender against them.

[duffthor]

I can just see Uncle Teddy shooting apples off Scalia's head with flaming arrows and putting on hunting exhibitions between sessions wearing his robes....Looking for a little Wango Tango with Ruth Bader Ginsburg....The possibilities are endless!