Kerry Seeks Release of Roberts' Documents

[politicasista]

Kerry Seeks Release of Roberts' Documents
By JESSE J. HOLLAND, Associated Press Writer

Friday, July 22, 2005

(07-22) 18:33 PDT WASHINGTON, (AP) --

Democratic Sen. John Kerry urged the White House on Friday to release "in their entirety" all documents and memos from Supreme Court nominee John Roberts' tenure in two Republican administrations.

"We cannot do our duty if either Judge Roberts or the Bush administration hides elements of his professional record," said the Massachusetts senator who was his party's presidential candidate last year.

Opening what is expected to be a broader attempt by Democrats to pry loose documents, Kerry issued his statement as Roberts made the latest in a series of courtesy calls on senators in advance of confirmation hearings.

Democratic officials also said Friday they want access to all material regarding Roberts at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California. Roberts served in the White House counsel's office from 1982-1986. He was principal deputy solicitor general in the administration of President George H.W. Bush.

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/n/a/2005/07/22/national/w161303D09.DTL

More from http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/

[Mass]

1. Here is his statement

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=273x35699

I can see that AP is going to put a negative spin on that.

[sandnsea]

2. Not too bad

At least it wasn't "losing Presidential candidate".

"Kerry is not a member of the committee. But he nonetheless injected himself into the debate at the end of a week in which Bush appeared to catch Democrats off guard by picking a court candidate with conservative credentials, yet one with little judicial experience, and thus, little public paper trail."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050723/ap_on_go_su_co/scotus_bush;_ylt=Anu3SzoxKmVbMd9GmCQG6JuyFz4D;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl

[jillan]

3. The sad thing is

It's never going to happen. The repukes have already made that very clear.

But Thank You Kerry for trying.:hug:

[TayTay]

4. What's going to be very interesting about those hearings

IS not just the abortion question, which Roberts will be well-coached to avoid. (The Rethugs will use prepping techniques similar to preparing candidates to debate) Some of the most interesting questions will come on the idea of 'interstate commerce' which is a way of trying to get the nominee to come clean on how deeply he is embedded with 'strict constructionist' ideas.

The 'interstate commerce' views are, potentially, much, much more important than any other views that he might be questioned on. For a primer on this go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commerce_clause

This regulates Labor Laws. Bug Business has a vested interest in trying to lessen Congress' ability to regulate interstate commerce. This is a huge matter. Huge. And Roberts should be questioned extensively on it, particularly since he was a lawyer representing so many big business concerns before the SCOTUS.

If I may humbly suggest, you might want to ramp up on this one and check out the Wikipedia site. (Again, may i most humbly suggest.)