NYT, Nagourney: Democrats Adopt O'Connor as Model for Bush Court Pick

[DeepModem Mom]

Democrats Adopt O'Connor as Model for Bush Court Pick
By ADAM NAGOURNEY
Published: July 7, 2005


....Justice O'Connor - that would be the same Justice O'Connor who was named to the Supreme Court by President Ronald Reagan, the same Justice O'Connor who was the swing vote in the decision handing George W. Bush the presidency in 2000 - is being celebrated by Democrats for what they portray as a mostly exemplary record, the archetype of the jurist President Bush should embrace in his search for a replacement.

"If he is true to his promise, he will use Justice O'Connor as a role model," Senator Barbara Boxer of California said, reflecting Democratic talking points that were circulated around Washington within hours after the justice's retirement was announced. "She was a leader on the court for moderation and consensus building."

Justice O'Connor is hardly leaving the court as a favorite of the right - her voting record has put her at various times with the left and right wings of the court....

***

Several Democrats and legal scholars said this swell of testimonials reflected the extent to which Justice O'Connor had moved to the center over the past 24 years, or at least not followed the court as it sailed rightward. "She really has moved to the left in the last four or five years," said Lee Epstein, a law professor at Washington University in St. Louis.

But more than that, Democrats preparing for the court battle said that the lionizing of Justice O'Connor is part of a strategy intended to influence the outcome of this immediate nomination fight by trying to force Mr. Bush to stay in the center in making his selection and to take advantage of this moment to reshape public opinions of both parties in potentially lasting ways....


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/07/politics/07oconnor.html?hp&ex=1120708800&en=d9dd566432d9c8b1&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[otohara]

1. Because She Gave Us - Bush?

and they have been so happy ever since.

[TankLV]

2. She nowhere in any conceivable imagination moved anywhere near a "center".

The pukes and wacko fundy christians have moved the country so far to the right, even those who move right with less speed as said to move left by comparison.

NOBODY in this fucking country in any position of power has moved "left" for a few decades now.

And we are royally screwed because of it.