Sen. Murray (D-WA) Now Says She'll Nix Alito. Here's Why:

[newswolf56]

...As was discussed at his hearing, he has a troubling record of voting for the government and corporations and against individuals. He seems to favor the entrenched power over the little guy. His record does not give me the confidence that everyone who comes before the Court will be treated fairly.

I am also deeply concerned about Judge Alito's independence. We rely on our courts as a critical check and balance against government abuse. That independent check helps to protect our rights. This is especially important today because of the growing questions about the expansion of executive power. The Supreme Court will need to evaluate whether recent executive actions are constitutional. Here, Judge Alito's unbalanced, minority view of the scope of executive power tells me he does not have the independence to be an adequate check on government abuse of our rights.

Finally, I have serious doubts that Judge Alito will uphold our rights and liberties. One example is his hostility to the right to privacy. In the hearings, he refused to say that Roe v. Wade is "settled law," and he did not adequately explain his 1985 statement that the "Constitution does not protect a right to an abortion."

Full text of statement:

http://murray.senate.gov/news.cfm?id=250775

[spindrifter]

1. Yes! Thank you, Patty Murray!

[Justitia]

2. Yes! More good news! I supported her via Emily's List.

:bounce:

[LSK]

3. no on Alito or no to cloture?? BIG DIFFERENCE!

[progressivebydesign]

4. I wrote her a nice email.. BEGGING for that! I'm a constituent. n/t

[Sydnie]

6. Ok, your email did it!

I claimed that mine turned Feinstein ... so your can be the one that turned Murray. Congratulations! ;)

Absolutely excellent news. Now, will she support the filibuster?

[dchill]

5. Very well-reasoned and erudite...

but she left out that he's ticking time-bomb of reactionary whack.

[Justitia]

9. LOL! Too diplomatic? LOL -eom

[Blue Belle]

7. It doesn't say how she'll vote for cloture...

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad she's voting no on Alito... but it would be nice to put her in the "No on Cloture" catagory.

[Matariki]

11. Well we better keep calling, emailing and faxing her then

i think she's listening. Two weeks ago she responded to my email saying she hadn't decided on Alito yet. She's since declared she'd vote against him. We can hope that if that is new today it means she supports the filibuster.

[Wordie]

12. Staffer at her office said "no decision yet" this afternoon.

He was fielding lots of calls.

[emulatorloo]

8. kick n/t

[Matariki]

10. Yay!

I faxed her some of those very same words today. I'm glad she's not letting us down. She better support the filibuster.

[omega minimo]

13. Wouldn't it be something?

Wouldn't it be something it Senators and others brought up the fact that given "the growing questions about the expansion of executive power" and all the abuses, lies, crimes, investigations, indictments, etc. this is NOT the time to roll over for this appointment?

Now THAT would be a REAL fight.

(Are they insane or merely compromised?)



:hi: