July 19, 2005
Judge Roberts
Reactions to President Bush's nomination of John G. Roberts to the Supreme Court:
Oh, yes, we knew there would be reactions. The Greatest Minds of Our Nation (the liberals, of course, just ask them) and a few from the Intellectual Wasteland (that's us, folks) have been working up suitable and quoteable quotes for days, just waiting for the opportunity to hit that send button on their faxes.
"The president has chosen someone with suitable legal credentials, but that is not the end of our inquiry. The Senate must review Judge Roberts' record to determine if he has a demonstrated commitment to the core American values of freedom, equality and fairness." - Senate minority leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.
Now, if Harry Reid can just remember that "Freedom" means freedom from governmental interference and not "Freedom to inflict governmental interference" we'll be fine.
"Judge Roberts is the kind of outstanding nominee that will make America proud. He embodies the qualities America expects in a justice on its highest court: someone who is fair, intelligent, impartial and committed to faithfully interpreting the Constitution and the law." - Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn.
Well, I would expect no less from Sen. Frist. I mean, it's easy to give verbal support. The real sign of supporting this choice will be in how he manages to corral and contain those damned Renegade RINO's.
"We are extremely disappointed that President Bush has chosen such a divisive nominee for the highest court in the nation, rather than a consensus nominee who would protect individual liberty and uphold Roe v. Wade." - NARAL Pro-Choice America.
Oooooo, I'm so scared of you, NARAL. And what the hell is a "Consensus Nominee" except someone who is more concerned about keeping the squeakiest wheels quiet regardless of what the real Consensus believes is right or wrong? Consensus nominee... I've heard it all now.
Roberts "rules based on the application of existing laws and specific facts of the cases before him, rather than making new laws or creating new policies based on personal opinion." - Sean Rushton, director of the conservative Committee for Justice.
Yes, we've thought that before about others and were disappointed. Let's hope this is not the case.
"I look forward to the Committee's findings so that I can make an informed decision about whether Judge Roberts is truly a guardian of the rule of law who puts fairness and justice before ideology." - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y.
Yes, Hillary, and what you really mean is someone who puts your concepts of ideological fairness and justice over genuine fairness and justice.
"Senate Democrats, especially those seeking re-election next year, should know that we will be watching them carefully. If they again attempt to attack a nominee's faith or pro-life convictions, their constituents will know about it and they will be held accountable." - Father Frank Pavone, national director, Priests for Life.
Father Frank, if only it were true. But you and I both know that in this generation of Cafeteria Catholics and Buffet Baptists few have the will it takes to vote their convictions. That would imply, of course, that they had any strong convicitons beyond some strange notion that they cannot miss a single episode of Big Brother.
"Judge Roberts is an exceptional judge, brilliant legal mind, and a man of outstanding character who understands his profound duty to follow the law." - Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.
And Sen. Cornyn, it is up to you to help enforce party solidarity and get him voted on. Take no prisoners, Sir.
"The burden is on a nominee to the Supreme Court to prove that he is worthy, not on the Senate to prove he is unworthy." - Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.
No, Charles, it isn't. It's up to the president to decide if he is worth or not, and for you to either accept his choice or not. Judge Roberts need prove nothing. His record speaks for itself. It's not up to you to conduct some insane witchhunt through his past, merely to gain clarification of his past decisions. Read your copy of the Constitution, Sir, not the Clift Notes version you have in your breast pocket.
"He's the kind of judge that all of us want - someone committed to applying the law impartially rather than legislating from the bench." - Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah.
Put your money where your mouth is, Orrin. You've squirmed and wiggled your way out of being a Solid Supporter before. The people of Utah will be paying attention.
"I'm hopeful that in the coming weeks we can avoid vicious character assassinations and attacks in this confirmation process." - Sen. George Allen, R-Va.
Open your eyes, Sir. "In the coming weeks" is here now. Take a trot through such founts of Liberal Togetherness as the DU and see how deep the love is.
"I look forward to a full process, a direct vote up or down of a majority, not a supermajority, and also really a healthy debate about the role of the courts." - Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan.
Oh, I don't think you'll be disapponted, Sen. Brownback. Just remember, this will not be some cordial debate between persons of refinement and gentility. I hope you're prepared for the bloodbath ahead.
"Who knows about this guy?" - Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa.
I'm not even going to diginfy that question with a response. Like he hasn't had intel on this and every other potential nominee for months, since Rehnquist took ill. Please. Go peddle that elsewhere, Tom.
"I can't help but think that he will continue to impress as a person of fairness, thoughtfulness and just the kind of judge who will bring a nonpolitical approach to judging. ... I think he's going to be well received." - Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala.
From your mouth to God's ear.
"He's brilliant. ... He's someone who is I think obviously well respected on both sides of the aisle. At a time when circuit court nominees were being filibustered left and right, he just really sailed through his confirmation. Given that, I think the president did what he promised during the campaign. He looked for the best and the brightest and he chose someone who would meet the test, the high test, that Supreme Court justices would be required to meet." - Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa.
Ah, sailed through, hmmm... Yes, but how quickly they will forget that now that the ante is raised.
"This is a task so important that partisan politics must be set aside." - Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas.
Amen, Kay. Amen.
Thanks to the AP for supplying a roundup of quotes today. Although, all told, I'll bet they've had them for a week.