Cornyn: Openly gay SCOTUS nominee might be acceptable

[cali]

By J. Taylor Rushing - 04/12/10 06:59 PM ET

An openly gay nominee to the vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court might be acceptable, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said Monday.

Cornyn, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called on President Barack Obama to make a measured choice in filling the pending Supreme Court vacancy, hesitating slightly when asked if he would support an openly gay nominee.

Cornyn, a former Texas Supreme Court justice, was initially reluctant when asked if he would support an openly gay nominee — as Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), the Judiciary Committee's ranking Republican, said last year he might.

"I'd have to think about that," he said. "As long as it doesn't interfere with their job, it's not a particular issue."

Otherwise, Cornyn said Obama's nominee to replace Justice John Paul Stevens should be "somebody who is obviously qualified by virtue of their experience and with the right kind of judicial temperament."

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http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/91743-cornyn-openly-gay-scotus-nominee-might-be-acceptable

[lazarus]

1. what world do these people live in?

"As long as it doesn't interfere with their job"? How in the world could sexual orientation interfere with one's job?

[TheWraith]

3. You're talking about a Republican.

They still think gay people are mentally ill.

ETA: And of course they don't actually mean this: they're just saying this so that if Obama nominates Elena Kagan, then they can point back and say "Oh, it's not her gayness, it's just that she's a liberal pinko Nazi radical homosexual!"

[lazarus]

4. I keep forgetting

Their world-view is just so alien and fearful, I have trouble keeping track of all the prejudices.

[TheWraith]

5. It's really quite simple: hate everything that isn't you.

Then make up excuses to fit the target of the hate: they're a different color, they talk funny, they're gay, they wear their hair strange, they listen to odd music, etcetera.

[muffin1]

2. "As long as it doesn't interfere with their job"????

:wtf:

[Arkana]

10. He only means as long as they don't have sexual relationships with members of their own sex

or acknowledge they're gay in ANY way, then they'll be OK. Closeted is the only PROPER way for a gay person to be, you know.

....do I need the :sarcasm: tag?

[Sebastian Doyle]

6. Does Cornyn's love for box turtles interfere with his job?

[TheCowsCameHome]

7. Thank you so much, senator. It's so nice to have your blessing.

Now fuck off - no one cares what you think.

[rucky]

8. That's what all the Republicans are saying about all the nominees.

They got their marching orders - as not to appear to be obstructionist as they obstruct.

Orrin Hatch answered a similar question the same way this morning.

[Arkana]

9. "Might" be acceptable, Senator?

Who the FUCK are you to make that goddamn judgment? WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU?!

[zbdent]

11. "right kind of judicial temperament." ...

I guess it's kinda hard to hear the capitalization of the "r" in "Right kind of judicial temperament."

[Demoiselle]

12. How the HELL would it "interfer with their job?"

Oh never mind.

[Ishoutandscream2]

13. My senator ladies and gentlemen

Jesus H. Christ!