President Bush has picked conservative John G. Roberts over the more moderate Edith Clement, a judge on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, to be his nominee to the US Supreme Court. Roberts, a federal judge himself appointed by President Bush, played a major role in coordinating Bush’s legal strategy in the 2000 Florida recount election. Roberts is a noted opponent of abortion and civil rights legislation. His nomination to the United States Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit was opposed by the Alliance for Justice:
Although Mr. Roberts is indisputably a very capable lawyer, that alone does not qualify him for such a prestigious and critical post. As a group of over 300 law professors stated in a 2001 letter to the Senate, a lifetime appointment to the federal bench is a privilege that comes with great responsibility and requires much more. Every nominee bears the burden of showing that he or she respects and pledges to protect the progress made in the areas of civil rights and liberties, the environment, and Congress’ constitutional role in protecting the health and safety of all Americans. Mr. Roberts’ record, particularly his record as a political appointee, argues strongly that he would not do so.
While working under Presidents Reagan and Bush, Mr. Roberts supported a hard-line, anti-civil rights policy that opposed affirmative action, would have made it nearly impossible for minorities to prove a violation of the Voting Rights Act and would have “resegregated” America’s public schools. He also took strongly anti-choice positions in two Supreme Court cases, one that severely restricted the ability of poor women to gain information about abortion services, and another that took away a key means for women and clinics to combat anti-abortion zealots.
This pick is disappointing and many are suggesting it is one of the most extreme picks the president could have made.
People for the American Way has released the following statement:
People for the American Way is extremely disappointed that the President did not choose a consensus nominee in the mold of Sandra Day O’Connor. John Roberts’ record raises serious concerns as well as questions about where he stands on crucial legal and constitutional issues – it will be extremely important for Senators and the American people to get answers to those questions. Replacing O’Connor with someone who is not committed to upholding Americans’ rights, liberties, and legal protections would be a constitutional catastrophe.
Click here to read their report on Roberts.
The Alliance for Justice is made up of:
ADA Watch
American Association of University Women
American Constitution Society
Americans for Democratic Action
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
Brady Campaign
Coalition to Stop Gun Violence
Community Rights Counsel
Earthjustice
Feminist Majority
Human Rights Campaign
Justice at Stake Campaign
Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law
Leadership Conference on Civil Rights
NARAL Pro-Choice America
National Abortion Federation
National Council of Jewish Women
National Council of Negro Women
National Council on Independent Living
National Employment Lawyers Association
National Network to End Domestic Violence
National Organization for Women
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
People for the American Way
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
Sierra Club
Society of American Law Teachers
Southern Poverty Law Center
