John Kerry Opposes Roberts’ Nomination for Chief Justice

[kerrygoddess]

John Kerry Opposes Roberts’ Nomination for Chief Justice
September 21st, 2005

Breaking news: John Kerry Opposes Roberts’ Nomination for Chief Justice

Below is a statement by Senator John Kerry on the upcoming vote on Judge John Roberts to be Chief Justice of the United States:

“I can’t in good conscience vote to confirm Judge Roberts to a lifetime leading our third and co-equal branch of government when his confirmation hearings contained no genuine legal engagement, no real exchange of information, and no substantive discussion. The confirmation exercise has become little more than an empty shell. I cannot vote to confirm someone to lead the very branch of government responsible for ensuring equal opportunity and justice when he refuses to say where he stands on things as fundamental as how he would interpret our Constitution.

MORE - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=627

[mmonk]

1. Go JK

:thumbsup:

[Skink]

2. I like filibusters. They're entertaining.

I say go for it.

[lojasmo]

3. Sounds like his speech before his vote on the IWR

I'll wait to see what he actually does.

[kerrygoddess]

4. WTF?

Obviously someone is NOT paying attention

[lojasmo]

10. Not paying attention has always been your downfall. EOM

[TayTay]

13. Gee, I think she meant you dearie

See, this vote was about a person who might serve as Supreme Court Justice for 30+ years. Sen. Kerry was paying attention and said he would not vote to confirm this person because he was evasive, had a bad record in supporting women's right, civil rights and other concerns paramount to Democrats.

Perhaps you should pay attention. Topoics like this come up on Dem boards and we expect people to be informed. Not like those other guys.

[second edition]

5. Good for Kerry, I feel the same way.

Roberts will most likely get in, but I can't believe we are allowing someone to hold such a high position when we know so Little about him. With so little information made available and his aversion to answering questions he looks like a scary prospect to me. I wouldn't have voted for him either.

[AJH032]

6. He is an intelligent man

So much more eloquent than George.

[TayTay]

7. Good.

He is standing up for principle and for the right of the Senate to co-exist as an equal branch of government. They should release all the info on a guy who could serve in his job for 30+ years.

[Generator]

8. Empty shell

Perfect description of the process and Roberts. It's how I feel about our government. sigh. I wish Kerry would quit and led us down the road marching. Frankly it seems more effective. I've lost any belief in anything they do. I honestly believe this country needs something that doesn't come from a legislative body. That's not how it changes. It's impossible without leaders that risk everything. The constitution and our liberties are going away one decison at a time. One man, one ruling at a time. I really believe America as a great land is doomed without some major change. And false victories (filibuster agreement) and "he's not that bad" is utter denial.

[texpatriot2004]

9. I know what you mean. n/t

[spuddonna]

11. Yeah, I just got an email too!

Excerpt from email:
"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."

[Dr Fate]

12. I never doubted that Kerry would support DEMOCRATS on this.

Thank goodeness Kerry is not a "Pat Robertson Democrat."

[Dr Fate]

14. Kick for REAL leadership on this.

Thanks to Kerry for listening to the base instead of fake RW media perceptions.

[candice]

15. Voting against him is meaningless, only a filibuster...

for those who are impressed with this Bush appointee in comparison to the others, he has wrapping and a ribbon but is still a .....

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

16. Good.

[Dr Fate]

20. It means a lot to me. Reid's vote too. Leadership...

...We need it.

[fujiyama]

22. Reid said he'd vote against Roberts?

That'd be impressive.

[Dr Fate]

23. Reid is voting no. And the NJ Senators:

WASHINGTON - New Jersey's two Democratic senators said Wednesday they will oppose Judge John Roberts' nomination to become chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

"While he has demonstrated intelligence and eloquence, he has not provided adequate insight into his views or judicial philosophy," Corzine said. "The Supreme Court is too important and the stakes are too high to roll the dice on a judge who may sit on the bench for decades to come."

Lautenberg said although Roberts is intelligent and likable, "he wasn't straightforward in answering questions about his commitment to civil rights and the right to privacy."

"Serious questions were raised about Judge Roberts' philosophy because of memos he wrote as a lawyer in the Reagan administration in which he mocked women's rights, opposed strengthening the Voting Rights Act and referred to the government agency that polices employment discrimination as `un-American,'" Lautenberg said. <snip>

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/12706448.htm

[zulchzulu]

17. John, we've got your back becuase we know you've got ours

Thanks for posting, KG.

[zulchzulu]

18. John, we've got your back because we know you've got ours

Thanks for posting, KG.

[FreedomAngel82]

19. Good!

How many are there now?

[CityDem]

21. Hey Kerry -- STFU

If Kerry had run an aggressive campaign in 2004, AWOL would not be nominating anyone for the SCOTUS. If Kerry did not play it safe in August 2004, he would be nominating the replacement for Rehnquist. JFK is running for prez in 2008 -- he would be running as an incumbent in 2008 with at least 2 SCOTUS nominees if he would have stood up to the the swift boat whores and Bush in 2004.

[Dr Fate]

24. All true- still, I'd just assume have him speak out and vote right.

Which he did.

[Vektor]

25. Hey Kerry, keep talking!

You rock. Thanks for continuing to kick ass, and don't let those with penis envy get you down. You're a BIGGER man.

[ladylibertee]

26. Do Supreme Court Justices have their own security guards?

[Dr Fate]

27. Kick. Kerry shows a great example for DEMs with this.

n/t

[Zhade]

28. "I cannot vote to confirm"

Excellent. I'm glad to see he will not vote for Roberts.