Exclusive: Supreme Court Justice Sam Alito Dismisses His Right-Wing Fundraising As ‘Not Important

[CatWoman]

Last night, the American Spectator — a right-wing magazine known for its role in the “Arkansas Project,” a well-funded effort to invent stories with the goal of eventually impeaching President Clinton — held its annual gala fundraising event. The Spectator is more than merely an ideological outlet. Spectator publisher Al Regnery helps lead a secretive group of conservatives called the “Conservative Action Project,” formed after President Obama’s election, to help lobby for conservative legislative priorities, elect Republicans (the Conservative Action Project helped campaign against Democrat Bill Owens in NY-23), and block President Obama’s judicial appointments. The Spectator’s gala last night, with ticket prices/sponsorship levels ranging from $250 to $25,000, featured prominent Republicans like RNC chairman Michael Steele, hedge fund billionaire Paul Singer (a major donor to Republican campaign committees and attack ad groups), and U.S. Chamber of Commerce board member and former Allied Capital CEO William Walton. Among the attendees toasting Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), the keynote speaker for the event, was Supreme Court Justice Sam Alito.

It’s not the first time Alito has attended the Spectator dinner. In 2008, Alito headlined the Spectator’s annual gala, helping to raise tens of thousands of dollars for the political magazine. According to Jay Homnick, a conservative who attended the 2008 Spectator gala, Alito spent much of his speech ripping then Vice President-elect Joe Biden as a serial plagiarizer.

As Alito entered the event last night, I approached the Justice and asked him why he thought it appropriate to attend a highly political fundraiser with the chairman of the Republican Party, given Alito’s position on the court. Alito appeared baffled, and replied, “it’s not important that I’m here.” “But,” I said, “you also helped headline this same event two years ago, obviously helping to raise political money as the keynote.” Alito replied curtly, “it’s not important,” before walking away from me.

After the gala, I again tried to approach Justice Alito — this time, with a video camera in hand — to ask him about the ethical issues raised by his right-wing political fundraising. Before I could come close to him, his security guards threatened me with arrest. Watch it:

http://thinkprogress.org/2010/11/10/sam-alito-republican-fundraiser/

[Supersedeas]

1. American Justice....it's not important...just a barrel of laughs and a political jab

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. I'm sure someone has already figured this out.

What laws can we use to impeach him?

[shraby]

3. I sent the article to Russ Feingold. I have a useless

Republican representative. If you have a Democratic Representative or Senator, pass the article to them.

[thereismore]

4. "Not important". Yeah. I remember this asshole saying "Not true" with the same indignation. nt

[ladjf]

5. That he would even think and say something like that is proof that

he has no business being on the Supreme Court. nt

[RC]

6. If that were a liberal Justice, doing the same thing, the repugs would be screaming for his head.