Kerry is voting against Roberts

[proud2BlibKansan]

Dear proud,
Monday, I shared with you my Brown University speech setting out what needs to be said and done at this critical moment for our country. Today, in that same spirit of clarity and conviction, I want to tell you how I will vote on the nomination of John Roberts to serve as Chief Justice of the United States.

I will vote against this vitally important nomination.

Win or lose on this vote, it is essential that we act on our deepest convictions. And I refuse to vote for a Supreme Court nominee who came before the Senate intent on demonstrating his ability to deftly deflect legitimate questions about his views, opinions and philosophy.

John Roberts owed the American people far more than that.

If he is confirmed - and he may well be - the Roberts Court will shape the course of constitutional law for decades to come. It will decide dozens of cases that will define the depth and breadth of freedom in America - our commitment to civil rights, our dedication to civil liberties, our devotion to privacy and a woman's right to choose.

With that much at stake, Judge Roberts needed to show us where his heart is.

Instead he recited case law and said little about what he really thought. He needed to engage the Senate Judiciary Committee and the American people in a genuine conversation. He failed that test. And, while I recognize that other members of the Senate will legitimately make a different choice, I will vote "NO" on the Roberts nomination.

Click here to read excerpts from the statement announcing my position on the Roberts nomination. I urge you to read them - and, whatever the outcome of the Roberts vote, I encourage you to join me in insisting on a far more complete and extensive process on the critical nomination President Bush must now make to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

Please contact your Senators now. Tell them where you stand on the Roberts nomination and tell them that you insist on full, fair, and forthcoming hearings on the person George W. Bush puts forward for the pivotal seat now occupied by Justice O'Connor.

Sincerely,

John Kerry

[still_one]

1. and that is good, but I still cannot believe that leahy is voting for him

based on a "hope"

[bluestateguy]

2. And yet some people will still beat up on him

for not fighting an unwinnable battle to overturn the November election.

[still_one]

3. Those are two different issues

My view is when someone does the right thing it should be acknowledged

[LittleClarkie]

5. Cool beans

I think the person above you meant that some will bring that issue into a thread like this that isn't even talking about it.

My view is the same as yours. I acknowledged Biden earlier today, despite thinking of him as a glory hound. But he too will vote against Roberts.

[still_one]

16. thanks for the clarification, I agree

[davidwparker]

9. The Green/Libertarian suit was thrown out becase these two did not

have much in terms of "damages." Kerry did and I don't remember him fighting. What Kerry could have done was brought the spotlight on the 101 pages of the Connyers report, which without Kerry, didn't get much notice.

Kerry is a nice guy and would have been a good president. But, he is comfortable and that is the problem. And, his not fighting is what I will always hold against him.

[LittleClarkie]

13. He is in the Glib lawsuit. It is still going as far as I know.

And he doesn't look all that comfortable to me any more. Kinda like Gore after his "loss."

[Carolab]

4. All of the Dems should be voting nay.

It is just nuts that we are made to appreciate any of them for doing so.

What in the WORLD is wrong with Leahy???

[WildEyedLiberal]

6. You should appreciate all Dems fighting for us

God knows people trash the ones who don't do what we want... we're not supposed to thank them when they act on our behalf?

[Carolab]

7. I expect them to, that's all.

We are like dogs being tossed a bone now and then.

[WildEyedLiberal]

8. Some of them fight consistently for us, and get little reward

They should be praised for being liberal and serving the public.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

10. Yes when they do so. But as Carol said "throwing us a bone".

[WildEyedLiberal]

11. Um, okay

If it makes you feel better to not appreciate Democrats standing up, knock yourself out.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

12. It makes me feel sad when they don't.

[Carolab]

14. Sad and let down. They are supposed to represent us.

And we have made it abundantly clear we don't want them to support Roberts.

[burrowowl]

15. Damn tooting! eom

[Mojambo]

17. Not surprising. n/t