Judiciary Committee Democrats Out of Touch With Respective Home States on Judge Roberts’ Confirmation
The Senate Judiciary Committee this week concluded its hearings on the confirmation of Judge John G. Roberts, Jr., to be the next Chief Justice of the United States. As the hearing progressed, it became strikingly obvious to anyone paying attention that President George W. Bush fulfilled his obligation and promise to nominate someone who will resist imposing his personal views on the bench, and who will uphold the constitution and the rule of law.
Simply put, Judge Roberts’ performance this week was extraordinary. He exhibited brilliance, eloquence and a thorough knowledge of the law. He articulated an appropriate and proper view of the role of a judge in our constitutional system.
Yet, despite Judge Roberts’ brilliance and humility, one by one, Judiciary Committee Democrats displayed their unwillingness to set politics aside by laying the groundwork with inappropriate questions and phony theatrics to justify their eventual ‘nay’ votes when the Committee, and ultimately the full Senate, makes its final decision.
But a simple scan of the editorial pages in the home states of Judiciary Committee Democrats would suggest that these Senators are out of touch with their constituents on Roberts’ confirmation.
Here’s what some of the editorial pages have been saying…
New York – Senator Charles Schumer
“Roberts: No Boat Rocker,” Newsday, 9/14/05
“[Roberts] presented himself yesterday as a modest judge who respects precedent and decides cases in a practical way, during his first day fielding questions from the Senate Judiciary Committee.”
“From Rehnquist to Roberts,” The Daily News, 9/6/05
“Since July 19, when Roberts was nominated as an associate justice to succeed the retiring Sandra Day O’Connor, his qualifications have become only clearer as senators and interest groups pored over 75,000 pages of documents from his work as a government lawyer and judge. His record, bearing a distinct conservative bent, shows him to be a superb advocate and lawyer. He is also endowed with a wry sense of humor, a characteristic not to be underrated.”
“Arlen Specter, Windbag,” New York Post, 9/14/05
“…Roberts delivered a stellar performance – and went a long way toward convincing most Americans that he likely will be one of the nation’s more distinguished chief justices.”
“[Roberts] kept his cool even under the long-winded – and often insulting – questioning of Democrats Ted Kennedy and Joe Biden, both of whom were so enthralled by the sound of their own voices that they grew impatient when Roberts actually tried to answer.”
California – Senator Diane Feinstein
“Reshaping the Court,” The San Diego Union-Tribune, 9/7/05
“President Bush’s decision to nominate federal appeals court Judge John Roberts to replace William Rehnquist as chief justice of the Supreme Court is a sound one. … His respect for precedent – a belief that once the courts have ruled on a matter they should not reverse course lightly – is matched by his respect for judicial restraint, the view that only legislators, not judges, should create laws.”
“Roberts’ Capitol Dance,” San Francisco Chronicle, 9/14/05
“In his opening statement Monday and again under questioning Tuesday, Roberts portrayed himself as an objective jurist whose role is to follow the law and not advance his personal beliefs. From the hearings so far, it’s apparent that Roberts knows the law and can spot a rhetorical trap a mile away.”
“Roberts Is Right Choice,” Contra Costa Times, 9/12/05
“From every indication, Roberts has a superior legal mind, a firm grasp of the Constitution and an understanding of its flexibility and limits as well as a respect for court decisions. Certainly, Roberts has a resume that highly qualifies him to become chief justice and to lead the court for perhaps three decades or more. Roberts has received the highest rating by the American Bar Association, has won much praise by those who worked with him and has a record that demonstrates wise judicial judgment in accordance with the Constitution. … He appears to more than fulfill the requirements that a Supreme Court justice should have.”
Vermont – Senator Patrick Leahy, Judiciary Committee Ranking Member
“Getting Down To Brass Tacks,” Rutland Herald, 9/4/05
“Some of the fears expressed by Roberts’ critics border on the ludicrous. …That Roberts is a conservative should not be surprising; nor should it disqualify him for the bench. [Sen. Patrick] Leahy [D-Vt.] should avoid the petty politics of exaggerated grievances and concentrate on the weighty questions of political philosophy that underlie Roberts’ views. … Roberts’ confirmation is likely because he appears to be the kind of conscientious and pragmatic conservative that is acceptable, not just to Republicans, but to moderate Democrats.”
Wisconsin – Senators Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold
“As Chief Justice Nominee, Roberts Needs Close Scrutiny,” Post-Crescent, 9/13/05
“The analysis so far has concluded that Roberts is exceedingly bright and reasonable.”
"Roberts Right to Restrict Answers," The Beloit Daily News, 9/15/05
“The outcome is a foregone conclusion. The U.S. Senate will confirm John Roberts as Chief Justice of the
Massachusetts – Senator Ted Kennedy
“In John Roberts, Make the Right Call,” The Boston Herald, 9/13/05
“Roberts [is] indisputably intelligent, even-tempered and serious, with a long record of experience ...”
“Hold Acrimony on Court Nominee,” The Patriot Ledger, 9/12/05
“Opponents scoured Roberts’ slim judicial record and his years of government service during the summer and have yet to find ideological red flags. He seems a sure bet for confirmation and a person well-suited for the chief’s role. He once clerked for Rehnquist and must have studied Rehnquist’s record as a consensus builder.”
Illinois – Senator Dick Durbin
“Roberts in Mold of Rehnquist,” Peoria Journal Star, 9/7/05
“Roberts is more the norm than not, as only five of the previous 16 chief justices had been associate justices first. Roberts is no rookie, having argued 39 cases before the high court. He also is described as very much in the mold of Rehnquist, for whom he once clerked - incrementalist, disinclined to impose the judiciary on matters that should be left to legislatures. For those who fear that conservatives can be just as activist as liberals from the bench, this may be welcome news.”
Information gathered from newspaper editorial pages and gop.com.
September 15 , 2005