"Smooth" John Roberts "emerged virtually unscathed" from first interview

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

Democrats to Get 2nd Shot to Grill Roberts

By JESSE J. HOLLAND, Associated Press Writer

Wednesday, September 14, 2005



http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2005/09/14/national/w001712D22.DTL

John Roberts emerged virtually unscathed from his first Senate Judiciary Committee interview, smoothly parrying questions on abortion, civil rights and the limits of presidential power.

A second and possibly final day of questioning Wednesday gives Democrats another shot at probing Roberts' mind before voting on his candidacy to become the nation's youngest chief justice in more than 200 years.

The first day of committee hearings on Roberts' nomination did not shed light on many issues that Democrats wanted answered.

"Some answers have raised other questions," Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, the committee's senior Democrat, wrote in his weblog. "In some ways, it seems the more he's asked and the more he answers, the less clearly the real John Roberts is in focus." Despite the Democratic frustration, it appeared Roberts had done nothing to diminish his strong chances for confirmation to replace the late William H. Rehnquist before the high court convenes Oct. 3.

[fasttense]

1. Remember this man's face. He will be responsible for thousands of deaths.

When he outlaws abortions he will ensure thousands of unwanted babies will die from neglect. He will be responsible for the death of thousands of women who will die from back-alley abortions, botched home abortions (you know the wire hanger) and falls down the stairs (I had a great Aunt who tried this in Ireland. The fetus died but she was left crippled).

[herbbrown]

2. Not so sure about that

I heard that Dirshowitz say this yesterday, if he gets the chance to outlaw abortion the repukes will never win another election again, because the majority is against that and will give the dems a firm issue to win on.

[Beaver Tail]

4. My fear is there will never be another election

at least not a real one. I am afraid that democracy is going the way of the Dodo in the USA.

[magnetism]

9. so legal abortions

are always good? Legal abortions have already killed thousands of unwanted babies. Not to mention that my sister had an abortion when she was young. The doctor did not discuss the possible complications with the procedure and she now has trouble having children not to mention is mentally screwed up as she thinks about the abortion from time to time and thinks about what that child may have become.

Whichever way you slice it, abortions are not pretty, either legal or illegal.

[mzteris]

3. Did anyone ask him about

Loving vs. Virginia?

I'd love to hear his take on that.

[acmejack]

5. i imagine he is opposed

Meddling in the affairs of the individual States. Federalism is only good when it serves the corporate interests...

[mzteris]

6. But don't you think it could be a

"telling" answer? I mean, how can he "be against it?" He can't - not openly anyways. So how would he parse his answer? Could give some insight. I can't believe no one's going to ask him about that.

[arewenotdemo]

7. Good point. Looks/sounds like a "states' rights" man to me.

[Norquist Nemesis]

8. He just brought it up with Biden

and still didn't answer any questions from Biden.

Now Kyl's giving Roberts a pat on the back for dodging.