FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 17, 2005
Contact: Jeff Mazzella
703.535.5836

Liberal Groups Jerk the Leash,
Senate Democrats Respond with Attacks

Statement of CFIF President Jeffrey Mazzella

Alexandria, VA — Following a report in the August 16 edition of the Washington Post which indicated that Democratic Senators were generally not inclined to wage partisan warfare over Judge John Roberts’ confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court, liberal groups like People for the American Way and the Alliance for Justice reacted angrily. And almost immediately, Democratic Senators unleashed a surge of attacks against the nominee.

In response, Jeffrey Mazzella, President of the Center for Individual Freedom, made the following statement:

“The remarkable control that liberal groups have over their puppets in the Senate is plain for all to see.

“Liberal groups yanked on the leashes of Democratic Senators, and they responded like well-trained dogs, directing a torrent of misleading attacks at Judge Roberts.

“Groups on the Left and Democrats in the Senate have repeatedly demonstrated their willingness to smear judicial nominees in order to justify their campaign of obstruction. These attacks are yet another clear example.

“Senators have a duty to ensure that the confirmation process is civil and dignified, and they should treat Judge Roberts with the respect befitting a distinguished attorney and federal judge.”

The Center for Individual Freedom (www.cfif.org/supremecourt) is a non-profit, non-partisan Constitutional and free-market advocacy organization dedicated to protecting individual freedom and rights in the legal, legislative and educational arenas. For nearly four years, the Center has been a leader in pushing the Senate to hold up-or-down votes on judicial nominations.