Sen. Byrd praises Bush for nominating Roberts

[quaoar]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20050721-115719-6891r.htm

Sen. Byrd praises Bush on nominee

By Charles Hurt
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
July 22, 2005

Sen. Robert C. Byrd, one of President Bush's harshest critics, has become an unlikely ally on the Supreme Court nomination of Judge John G. Roberts Jr.

"I said to him, 'I am shouting your name from the steeple tops for reaching out, reaching across the aisle,'?" the West Virginia Democrat reported after taking a phone call from Mr. Bush to discuss a replacement for retiring Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

After Mr. Bush nominated federal Judge Roberts this week, Mr. Byrd again issued a statement praising the president. "I thank President Bush for reaching out to senators on both sides of the aisle as he worked to select a nominee for the court," Mr. Byrd said. "I hope that this bipartisan cooperation will continue as the confirmation process begins."


< snip >

"One's life is probably in no greater danger in the jungles of deepest Africa than in the jungles of America's large cities," he writes. "In my judgment, much of the problem has been brought about by the mollycoddling of criminals by some of the liberal judges who have been placed on the nation's courts in recent years."

[davidinalameda]

1. and Moveon has raised how much money for Byrd

:shrug:

[acmejack]

5. Not a red cent from me!

I'll donate to dems but not him.

[Vickers]

2. "liberal judges" What in the fuck?

Is that the ones that follow the letter of the law? :shrug:

[Mass]

3. No surprises for who knows Byrd

He is a social conservative.

He has done a lot of good things when it comes to preserving the role of the Senate, but he is far from being a liberal.

[formernaderite]

8. He also seems to be in a tight race

if he plans to run again.

[ToeBot]

4. Anyone keeping track of the Dem votes this guy has locked up already?

Byrd, Lieberman, Feinstein, surely there are more. What are the odds he'll pass with 80+ votes? (Ok maybe not Feinstien)

[davidinalameda]

6. I'm saying at least 65 votes

[MercutioATC]

7. Maybe the Dems WANT to look positive on this one?

Appear to be very fair and supportive on this one and fight Rehnquist's replacement (who's bound to be more conservative) tooth and nail.

We know Roberts is going to get confirmed. The Dems can look spiteful or they can look "fair". Saving the claws for the next one might not be a bad strategy.

[Mass]

9. byrd voted FOR Owens

Not only did he not vote for the filibuster, but he actually voted YES for the nomination, nearly alone among the Democrats (Lieberman voted NO).

[theboss]

10. Byrd's very conservative on a lot of issues

I keep telling everyone here that, but no one wants to listen because he gives good Bush-bashing speeches.

[Mass]

11. It is amazing how people are resistant to this simple fact.

[ISUGRADIA]

15. I've said the same too. He waxes poetic against the war and

becomes a big hero. People in the past have wanted to ignore his more reactionary positions (worst Dem in the senate on gay rights). His true tendencies are starting to show more and more.

[Bluebear]

12. "shouting your name from the steeple tops"

How very secular.

[Mike Nelson]

13. This Byrd Has Flown --nt

...

[wiggs]

14. Washington Times. nt

[liberaliraqvet26]

16. Byrd needs to be reelected in a very conservative state...

give him a break for a little grandstanding. He will be there when we need him for the battles we have a chance to win. West Virginians may not be able to put food on the table, afford healthcare or have access to a good education but they sure as hell listen to a bunch of wingnut baptist ministers every Sunday. This gives them less ammo against Byrd. We aren't going to win this one guys, lets save the battle royale in case John Paul Stevens retires.

[Tommymac]

17. Read the Article - Byrd is NOT praising Roberts!!!!

He is saying thank you to Bush for calling the Dem senators to ask their advice!!!!

BIG DIFFERENCE!!!!

And look at the source of this one: an article in the Moonie Times!

Geez, no Dem has endorsed Roberts yet...not one. They have all been polite and said a few nice things about the man...but not one has come out and endorsed him yet!

They need to play the game...wait until the actual hearings before piling on your own!

My GAWD!



:rant: