CBC questions John Roberts

[struggle4progress]

By Josephine Hearn

Leaders of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) on Saturday took their strongest step yet toward opposing the nomination of Judge John Roberts, urging senators to submit the Supreme Court nominee to tough questioning on issues of racial discrimination.

“We are both astonished and troubled by what the papers of Judge John Roberts Jr. … reveal about his views on civil rights matters in virtually all the areas of concern to African Americans,” wrote Rep. Mel Watt (D-N.C.), the CBC’s chairman, and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), judicial nominations chairwoman for the caucus, to Senate Judiciary Committee members. “We have deep and expansive concerns about the Roberts nomination.” <snip>

Only one member of the CBC, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), is a member of the Senate and will thus have the opportunity to vote on the nomination. The rest of the CBC is likely to follow Obama’s lead in determining whether it would oppose the nomination. <snip>

“The Congressional Black Caucus will still make every effort to assess Judge Roberts’s nomination fairly, but we will certainly have to consider his refusal to meet with representatives of our important constituency a substantial mark against him in our evaluation,” Watt said in a statement. <snip>

http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/091205/cbc.html

[bettyellen]

1. c'mon Obama, we need you to step up!

[me b zola]

2. Like never before

Obama has all of the qualities of a leader. His recent statements on the Katrina tragedy and everything surrounding it were a step in the right (correct) direction. I hope that Obama also possesses wisdom & bravery.


BTW, much love & respect for the CBC :loveya:

[bettyellen]

3. much respect here as well.

the CBC rocks.

[TankLV]

4. Very little, very tepid. I shall reserve my judgment.

At least this is step in the right direction, but so far he has been and incredibly huge disappointment.

The CBC, on the other hand is incredible. Period.

I just wish the rest of the dems acted like they do.

[me b zola]

7. I would have to agree with everything that you said

Although I believe that there is room for hope. Here's anther article on Obama, and the LBN link that is talking about it:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1775307

http://news.yahoo.com/s/chitribts/judiciousobamaturnsupvolume

During the first eight months of his Senate career, Obama has pursued a strategy of patience and caution. He is the Democratic Party's freshest star yet consistently has declined invitations to appear on high-profile talk shows, saying he would step forward when he had something unique to contribute.

He believes now, in the aftermath of the hurricane, is that time.

~~~~~~~~~~~

These were my comments on Obama from an earlier thread, today, in GD:


I almost fell out of my chair when I saw him speak at the 04 convention


I said to hubbie that this will be our first Black president!

Since then I have been underwhelmed with his performance in the Senate. There have been a number of key issues that no Dem should have voted for that he indeed voted for---in fairness, many other Dems did as well. I was particularly not happy with him when he was one of the Dems who said that 'Dean doesn't speak for me' when Dean first took the Chair of the DNC. That was so troubling for me to watch any Dem allow the rnc to publicly turn their back on one of the few in the party to speak truth to power. Obama's ties to the dlc are also troubling.

Flash forward to Katrina and all that we witnessed in her wake. Obama has been a breath of fresh air. His statements, although carefully worded, were pretty right on about race, class, and the administrations indifference to both. George Stpenaphalas (sp) tried to drive a wedge in the Democratic Party, & Obama, this time, was strong and didn't allow him to do that. Obama essentially backed up what Dean had to say, and I cheered for joy.

Someone said in another thread that we all need to keep in mind that Blacks, women, and other minorities are scrutinized much more than other candidates & other elected officials. I have to agree with that. I remember when I first saw Blacks and women emerge in the repub party and I knew that that is why. As long as you go along with "the man" you get a pass--break away and speak about the disparities in our society and you are vilified.

That said, we live in perilous times. My soul screams out that there is no time left to play nice with the bad guys. I would love for Obama to find his voice. He has all of the qualities of a great leader, and I would love to see him do just that--lead.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4744845&mesg_id=4745731

I, too, am reserving judgement. But I'll keep a candle lit for him ;)

[fortyfeetunder]

5. Let's hope the CBC can transplant spines to the Dems

Because this is the last chance to make a point.

[ninkasi]

6. If all of our political leaders

had the courage of the CBC, this country would not be in the sorry state it's in. Come on, Obama...enough other Democrats tip-toe around issues of importance...speak out! Roberts is in no way qualified to be the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. I realize he speaks out for conservatives, but what about the rest of us?

[jmatthan]

8. I do not think Obama is in tune with the CBC

eom

[ladylibertee]

9. NO ROBERTS !!!!!!!

I am afraid that he will be confirmed because the Democrats , while they have started to grow backbones in other issues, are going to confirm him.Knowing that he has the power to set the country abck on the wrong track frightens me as a woman, as a young person and a minority.