Alito Says He'd Keep 'Open Mind' on Abortion--WAPo

[Demeter]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/10/AR2006011000198.html?referrer=email

Nominee Avoids Detailing Views on Controversial Issues

By Charles Babington and Jo Becker
Washington Post Staff Writers
Wednesday, January 11, 2006; Page A01

Supreme Court nominee Samuel A. Alito Jr. said yesterday that his 1985 assertion that the Constitution does not protect the right to an abortion was a "true expression of my views at the time," but he told senators he would "approach the question with an open mind" if confirmed to the high court.

Repeatedly asked about abortion rulings that date to the 1973 Roe v. Wade case, Alito said long-standing decisions deserve great respect. He stopped short of saying Roe could not be overturned, however, saying that the doctrine of following precedent is not "an exorable command" -- the same language the late Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist once used in arguing to overturn Roe ...

Like Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., whose nomination was confirmed in September, Alito told the committee he believes the Constitution protects "a right to privacy," but he did not say whether that extends to abortion rights. He said he would not characterize a 1992 decision known as Planned Parenthood v. Casey -- which reaffirmed Roe -- as a "super-precedent."

Schumer repeatedly pressed Alito on whether he still believes that the Constitution does not protect a right to an abortion, a question Alito declined to answer. At one point, Schumer got Alito to agree that the Constitution does protect free speech. So why, Schumer demanded, "can't you answer the question of 'Does the Constitution protect the right to an abortion?' " When Alito hedged, Schumer charged that "any idea that you are approaching this fresh, without any bias" has gone "by the wayside."

Alito noted that as an appellate judge, he twice voted against proposed abortion restrictions he considered unlawful. That was proof, he said, that he had no "agenda" to chip away at abortion at every opportunity.

AMERICAN WOMEN DO NOT WANT AN "OPEN MIND" ON ISSUES OF PERSONAL AUTONOMY AND ESPECIALLY ON THEIR OWN REPRODUCTIVE CHOICES: WE WANT THE GOVERNMENT OUT OF SOCIAL, PERSONAL ISSUES, PERIOD.

[rpannier]

1. Open mind...yes

He's open to suggestions of flogging or stoning the woman and her doctor to death.

[SHRED]

2. He's a weasel.

You can tell by watching him talk.

Damn this is frustrating watching this 'Nazi-like' regime, take over our country.
It's almost complete.
If Alito gets in then all governmental checks will be off and the remaining shred of balance will be gone.

[leesa]

3. This guy's mind has never been opened.

[bleedingheart]

4. I listened to him and I still believe he will work to ban abortion

he is a weasel...

[CTyankee]

5. Did you see the smoke rising from his

burning pants when he answered that one?

[wakeme2008]

6. This is from a guy that said

"I said it to get the job" :grr:

[DoYouEverWonder]

7. Open mind = Overturn Roe v Wade

Even Roberts said it was settled precedent. Alito refuses to make that commitment.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

8. Open Mind

He'll loan you his coat hanger...

[Anita Garcia]

9. Yes

But only if you promise to give it back.
He has a problem remembering where he left things...like CAP on his Reagan Admin. application.

[rodeodance]

10. translation:--Alito did NOT say that Roe is esblished law of the land!!

[wordpix]

11. obviously he wants to get rid of Roe or he'd say otherwise. Freeper