Just Politics

Reactions to Roberts nomination

While most Democrat Senators are saying that they will not prejudge the Roberts nomination, other partisan groups are delineating the fight for the Supreme Court. Below are some initial reactions.

MoveOn.org:

MoveOn.org sent the following e-mail:

Dear MoveOn member,

In the past weeks, Republicans and Democrats have called on President Bush to nominate a moderate for the Supreme Court—someone who would honor the legacy of independent Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. But last night, President Bush nominated Judge John Roberts, a far-right lawyer and corporate lobbyist, to fill her post on the Supreme Court.

We've got to stop Roberts. He opposed clean air rules and worked to help coal companies strip-mine mountaintops. He worked with Ken Starr (yes, that Ken Starr), and tried to keep Congress from defending the Voting Rights Act. He wrote that Roe v. Wade should be "overruled," and as a lawyer argued (and won) the case that stopped some doctors from even discussing abortion.

This is one of the most important domestic fights of President Bush's career. We can win—Americans overwhelmingly want a moderate judge. But to win, we need to get the word out early that Roberts is out of the mainstream.

After you've signed, please send this message on to your friends and colleagues. We need to fight back against the misinformation that the Bush administration is putting out.

John Roberts has little experience as a judge—he was only appointed in 2003. But he's got a lot of experience as a corporate lobbyist and lawyer, consistently favoring wealthy corporations over regular Americans.

Here's a list of some of the things that make Roberts the wrong pick for the Supreme Court:

Wrong on environmental protection: Roberts appears to want to limit the scope of the Endangered Species Act, and in papers he wrote while in law school he supported far-right legal theories about "takings" which would make it almost impossible for the government to enforce most environmental legislation.

Wrong on civil rights: Roberts worked to keep Congress from defending parts of the Voting Rights Act.

Wrong on human rights: As a appeals court judge, Roberts ruled that the Geneva Convention doesn't apply to some prisoners of war.

Wrong on our right to religious freedom: Roberts argued that schools should be able to impose religious speech on attendees.

Wrong on women's rights: Roberts wrote that "Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided and should be overruled." He also weighed in on behalf of Operation Rescue, a violent anti-abortion group, in a federal case.

President Bush could have chosen many fair-minded and independent jurists to replace Sandra Day O'Connor. Instead, he chose a corporate partisan loved by Bush's right-wing base but out of step with the rest of the country.

Tell your senators they need to stop John Roberts now….

NewsMax:

NewsMax e-mailed their news update list saying that Bush appointed a judge that opposes Roe vs. Wade:

Breaking from NewsMax.com

President Bush has chosen federal appeals court judge John G. Roberts Jr. as his first nominee for the Supreme Court, selecting a rock solid conservative whose nomination could trigger a tumultuous battle over the direction of the nation's highest court.

Read the full details, the latest commentary and Roberts' strong criticism of Roe v. Wade -- Go to NewsMax.com Now.

RNC/Ken Mehlman:

The Chairman of the Republican National Committee Ken Mehlman sent the following e-mail:

Tonight, President Bush made one of the most important announcements of his Presidency: his nomination of Judge John G. Roberts Jr. to be a United States Supreme Court Justice. Judge Roberts is a highly qualified man with sterling judicial credentials. He is fair-minded and compassionate and understands his job is to faithfully interpret the Constitution, not to legislate from the bench.

President Bush selected Judge Roberts after an unprecedented outreach effort, consulting with Democrats and Republicans alike. He has been thorough, thoughtful and deliberate throughout the entire process.

Now he needs your help.

To ensure Judge Roberts is confirmed by the U.S. Senate, I need you to do three things.

1. Call your senators, tell them Roberts has your support and deserves theirs.

2. Sign our petition in support of the timely confirmation of Judge Roberts.

3. Call talk radio, write a letter to the editor of your local paper and tell your friends and neighbors why you support the President's choice.

Judge Roberts has a record that demonstrates a commitment to faithfully applying the Constitution and not legislating from the bench. For more information on the nominee go to www.JudgeRoberts.com

The bottom line is the President needs your help. By taking the actions above, your elected officials, your party and your friends, family, and neighbors will know you stand with the President in support of this outstanding nominee.

It is imperative you do all you can to help Judge Roberts become the next Supreme Court Justice. Thank you for all your hard work.

National Pro-Life Action Center:

"Our stance has been from the very beginning that any Supreme Court nominee must meet the 'Rehnquist standard,' that is, concur with his dissent in Roe v. Wade," Giganti said. "Roberts is uniquely positioned to be that person as he clerked for [Chief] Justice [William] Rehnquist," Joe Giganti, spokesman for the National Pro-Life Action Center said.

C. Boyden Gray:

C. Boyden Gray -- chairman of the Committee for Justice and former White House counsel to President George H.W. Bush -- said Roberts' "outstanding education and career, high character, and faithfulness to the Constitution make him an excellent fit for the court at this moment.

People for the American Way:

People for the American Way is "extremely disappointed" in the President's selection, saying it's "a constitutional catastrophe."

Alliance for Justice:

Alliance for Justice "cannot support Judge Roberts' elevation to the Supreme Court" because President Bush has a "track record of selecting ideologically-driven, divisive candidates for the bench".

National Abortion Federation:

The National Abortion Federation "calls upon the Senate to stand up to President Bush's attempt to destroy the fragile balance on the Supreme Court".

Planned Parenthood:

Planned Parenthood stated, "The nomination of John G. Roberts raises serious questions and grave concerns for women's health and safety."

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL):

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), whose most recent controversial remarks came when he compared American troops to Nazis, called Judge Roberts a "controversial nominee" who guarantees a "controversial nomination process."

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY):

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) immediately announced that "I voted against Judge Roberts for the D.C. Court of Appeals because he didn't answer questions [about his views] fully and openly when he appeared before the committee."

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA):

Hinting at a possible judicial filibuster of the President's nominee, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) announced on Fox News, "The fact that Sandra Day O'Connor stepped down creates an extraordinary circumstance."

National Organization for Women:

NOW said of Judge Roberts that "our hard-won rights will be in jeopardy if he is confirmed," and that President Bush chose "to pick a fight. We intend to give him one."

National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League:

NARAL stated that "President Bush has consciously chosen the path of confrontation, and he should know that we... are ready for the battle ahead."