Dems Warn of Delay in Roberts Confirmation (Cornyn responds)

[sabra]

<<SNIP>>
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-5173245,00.html

Dems Warn of Delay in Roberts Confirmation

Thursday July 28, 2005 3:46 PM

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - In the eight days since President Bush nominated John Roberts to the Supreme Court, senators have fought more over access to the conservative judge's legal writings than over the candidate himself.

Even though no Democrat has announced plans to oppose Roberts' confirmation, Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats are digging in their heels on getting access to Roberts' paperwork from his time in the solicitor general's office. They say the Bush administration's withholding of those documents may cause a delay in getting Roberts confirmed to the seat being vacated by retiring Sandra Day O'Connor.

Republicans, meanwhile, have spent their time praising the selection of Roberts and insisting that the demands for documents are misguided.

``They don't have anything on him now, but they're still digging and hoping,'' said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, one of Roberts' most vocal boosters.

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[dogday]

1. I have got to call Senator Cornyn and

tell him that is the job of the Senate to dig and search to find the truth. Not to just take the President's word for it. Those Republicans who are not researching this candidate are not doing their constituency any good...

[UpInArms]

2. Roberts was receiving taxpayer money in the form of his paycheck

those records are ours.

Dig in deep Dems.

[politick]

3. The Dems

need to start talking about Roberts's agenda, about his activism, and if he's really middle of the road, then the White House has nothing to hide

Why is the White House always hiding from the American people?

Why is the White House not taking this vital appointment seriously and being straight with the American people?

Why is the White House afraid to show the American people (not us Democratic senators, wink wink) everything they know about Roberts?

The Right is so damn loud that we sometimes forget that the majority of America AGREES with us on most issues.

[JDPriestly]

4. The question is not whether Democrats have something on

Roberts. The question is whether the Bush administration may have something on Roberts. Is there something in the unreleased papers that could embarrass or discredit Roberts at some later date? Is there something in there that someone could hold over his head to control or blackmail him? Is there some case that he might not want to get involved in because of something he worked on years ago or something he said years ago or someone or something he was involved with years ago?

The office of Supreme Court Justice is more powerful than any other office in the United States. In exchange for accepting the power and glory of that office, Roberts owes us complete candor and openness on everything.

Roberts' appointment to the Supreme Court will be for the rest of his life. It is an exceptional honor and responsibility. In the last 50 years, only around 30 men and women have been trusted to that extent. Roberts and the Bush administration owe it to the American people to be completely open about everything Roberts is, thinks and has done in his life. This is not some ordinary cabinet appointment. Once hired, Roberts cannot be fired.

Thus far, the Bush administration has lied and lied and lied. Unless it is completely open about Roberts, how can we know it isn't lying about him?

[MaineDem]

5. Olympia Snowe said she's undecided on Roberts.

Sen. Olympia Snowe was still undecided on the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee John Roberts after a 45-minute private meeting.

Snowe, R-Maine, said she stressed during Wednesday´s meeting the importance of legal precedent on controversial issues like abortion. Afterward, she said she will continue to study Roberts´ record and his comments.

"He understands that this is a rigorous process," she said. "It´s important to give every consideration ... to his judicial, personal and legal background."

Roberts, who was escorted by actor and former Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee, didn´t comment after leaving the meeting in Snowe´s office.

http://news.mainetoday.com/apwire/D8BKD47G0-208.shtml

I highly doubt she will oppose him. Unless they are sure they have the votes to confirm him. In that case she may be "allowed" to vote no knowing it won't matter. Gotta get those votes back home in '06.

[TrogL]

6. I saw a TV add last night

Lots of blather about how wonderful a judge Roberts was and demanding a "quick up and down" vote, paid for by some political committee.

Who is the target audience?

I really don't think Spokane Washington's senator(s) have time to be watching a whole lotta local TV.

[Eurobabe]

7. saw one of those ads in SW OHIO BushBOT Co.

Warren County, the scene of the 2004 crime.

God, get me out of this hellhole?!?!?

[WhiteTara]

8. so don't look for any pink elephants in the room

because you're gonna find them? Is that the rationale?

[Voltaire99]

9. "Even though no Democrat has announced plans to oppose Roberts..."

Heh, don't hold your breath.

[0007]

10. Sen. John Cornyn is the dumbest sonofabitch in Texas

....and one of the most corrupt.

[struggle4progress]

11. Cornyn's philosophy is that we can kill Roberts later if we don't like him