Kennedy on Alito's nomination

[Mass]

http://kennedy.senate.gov/~kennedy/statements/05/10/2005A31235.html

October 31, 2005


KENNEDY STATEMENT ON NOMINATION OF JUDGE SAMUEL ALITO TO SUPREME COURT


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Laura Capps/Melissa Wagoner [phone]

Rather than selecting a nominee for the good of the nation and the court, President Bush has picked a nominee whom he hopes will stop the massive hemorrhaging of support on his right wing. This is a nomination based on weakness, not on strength.

After insisting that Harriet Miers shouldn't even get a hearing because she couldn't prove she was extreme enough, the far right has now forced the President to choose a nominee that they think has views as extreme as their own.

There are many serious questions about whether Judge Alito is a mainstream nominee fit to fill the seat of Justice O'Connor. She was able to unite and strengthen our country through her careful, non-ideological approach to the law.

Although he is clearly intelligent and experienced on the bench, that is only the beginning of our inquiry. If confirmed, Alito could very well fundamentally alter the balance of the court and push it dangerously to the right, placing at risk decades of American progress in safeguarding our fundamental rights and freedoms.

After stating that he believed in a diverse bench, President Bush took the nation a step backwards today. Apparently, he couldn't find a woman or minority or a mainstream nominee that meets the litmus tests of the right wing, and instead put forth a nominee with a troubling record on the rights and freedoms important to America's families.

The Senate will now fulfill its constitutional role and conduct thorough and fair hearings to determine Judge Alito's fitness to sit on the highest court in the land. There are few decisions as important as picking a Supreme Court Justice, and the Senate must not be rushed in considering this nomination.

[quadspect]

1. Why is Bush allowed to appoint anyone at all?

Why is a presider over an administration of graft, death,
torture, dirty tricks, forgeries, lying to Congress, bribery
and subornation of democracy, being  allowed to continue
function in any office, much less continue making
"nominations"?

[Vickers]

6. There is no Constitutional basis for denying the President the ability

to perform his duties until he is impeached, removed from office, etc.

With all that said, I happen to agree with you; it is very frustrating. Welcome to DU.

[LiberalEsto]

8. But he's NOT THE PRESIDENT

He's a usurper who stole the presidency in 2000 and again in 2004.
I challenge his self-proclaimed right to make appointments to the Supreme Court.

[Vickers]

9. I also agree with you, but he was sworn in, and until that is legally

challenged and turned over, his dumbass antics continue.

Pretty sad.

[mia]

2. Kennedy voted to confirm him in 1990

Alito's decisions since then must be making a lot of these Dems regret their vote. I wonder what they found about him to like in 1990.

http://www.confirmthem.com/?p=1762

[quadspect]

3. Deal-making instead of intelligent exercise of conscience

The answer is that deal-making goes back a long time.

[tritsofme]

4. He passed by unanimous consent

Nobody voted for him, nobody opposed him.

[lpbk2713]

5. I'll be damned if he doesn't *look* like a RWer

Not to be judgemental about personal appearance but I can look at this guy and say "aah-huh".

[azygous]

7. My first impression, too

Look at the eyes and mouth. Indicates to me defensiveness, belligerence, close-mindedness. No doubt he's also very self-righteous, having no doubts regarding his virtuousness, believing he's carrying out "God's Plan".

I got pretty good at sizing up people at first glance since my life depended on it as a female peace officer.