FWIW: Newsmax thinks Roberts is a foe of Roe v. Wade

[Skinner]

Some freep signed me up for the newsmax email. Anyway, they seem to think Roberts is a "rock solid conservative" and a "foe of Roe v. Wade."

I know some of you want to take a "wait and see" approach here. But as far as I'm concerned if Newsmax is convinced of this guy's right-wing cred, I think we should be very afraid.

Bush Picks Roberts, Foe of Roe v. Wade

Breaking from NewsMax.com

President Bush has chosen federal appeals court judge John G. Roberts Jr. as his first nominee for the Supreme Court, selecting a rock solid conservative whose nomination could trigger a tumultuous battle over the direction of the nation's highest court.

Read the full details, the latest commentary and Roberts' strong criticism of Roe v. Wade -- Go to NewsMax.com Now.

[dsc]

1. and Newsmax is known for its scrupulous honesty?

I think I will wait to see what the National Enquirer says, they only lie most of the time.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

2. I don't doubt that's a possibility.

I'm still at a loss as to what action we can take to prevent him from being confirmed. Without a paper trail, it will be literally impossible to filibuster him. Short of discovering he ate a small child, I don't think we can do a damn thing but wait and see, and in the meantime, put the magnifying glass back on Rove.

[LeftNYC]

14. Today on Hannity and Colmes...

The left says Roberts ate a "small child". There is no proof except for the videotape we will show you. Also, RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman explains how this videotape vindicates and exonerates Roberts and how this is nothing more than a tempest in a teapot.

You love the "ate a small child" line. I agree that we dont know much yet and the Rove story should be our priority..

[The Doctor.]

20. ROTFL!

The only way to cast disfavor on anyone in this administration amongst the Bushbots would have to be far more heinous than eating live babies on national TV.

See here;
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[LeftNYC]

28. LOL! nt

[ulysses]

3. in full agreement, Skinner.

We need to fight.

[Zomby Woof]

29. This even pulled me back in

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[ulysses]

32. I saw that last night.

Would've replied, but didn't want it to seem like I was all up in your koolaid of late.

Good to have you back.

[Zomby Woof]

39. You LOVE the taste of ZombyKoolAid!

[shugah]

33. nice to have you back in the fight

this one has to be fought. there is always much at stake these days, but this time pretty much everything is at stake.

[dogday]

4. I have been saying that from the beginning

This guy is on the "far right side" of the law with many connections to Bush. Check out this link


http://courtinginfluence.net/nominee.php?nominee_id=55

[bloom]

37. Under "Former Energy Industry Lobbyists Among Nominees" "

"Another Bush judicial appointee with experience representing the mining industry is John G. Roberts, Jr., a former colleague of George Miller's at the Hogan & Hartson law and lobbying firm. Roberts was one of the co-authors of Miller’s amicus brief on behalf of the National Mining Association’s challenge to the government ban on ‘mountaintop removal’. In 2003, Roberts was confirmed to the powerful D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, where earlier this year he ruled against environmentalists who were pushing for more restrictive government regulations of copper smelters--many of whom are members of the National Mining Association that Roberts once represented. As a lobbyist in the 1990s, Roberts worked on behalf of the peanut industry, pushing federal legislation that maintained government subsidies which the GAO estimated cost consumers $500 million a year. Agricultural and mining interests are often involved in regulatory cases that come before the DC Circuit Court where Roberts now sits."

[Armstead]

5. The right wing loves him

His wife is a mucky muck in one of those "family values" organizations.

Unless they have an amazingly tolerant marriage, that in itself should be a red flag about what his real views are.

[Jax]

6. This guy is young too

We have to fight this.

[dogday]

12. Good Point To Bring Up

This guy could be making law for the next 30 years. Think about that..... That is a big consideration.....

[ElectroPrincess]

31. No, this guy could change ... there are also true conservatives

that are equally appalled by the Neo-Con take over of our Executive Branch.

We will weather through this storm. No need to fight this guy unless he's actually committed a crime or is unqualified. He may change toward the left. Many have in the past. Wisdom does tend to make a person more charitable. Usually .

[Jax]

34. I will be calling on my Senators to fight

his nomination.

Tired of rolling over and playing dead for these liars ElectroPrincess.

[ElectroPrincess]

36. I support you Jax ... hope it makes a difference with those who listen

Excuse me if I believe emailing Senators Allen and Warner (VA) is a waste of time, but it is.

If there is a real issue ... reason for doubt, go for it and best wishes.

[The Doctor.]

7. From what I gather...

The Supreme Court won't even hear (or at least isn't supposed to hear) a case that present no 'De Novo' evidence. If there's nothing new to bring the case to the court, they're not supposed to even hear it.

Somehow I doubt anyone could come up with enough for the court to hear a new case and overturn Roe v. Wade.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

8. I think it's a given....

His wife belongs to some group called 'Feminists for Life'...that, along with what little history has come to light on him, there is no way he has an open mind on choice.

I'm trying to grasp the 'wait and see' attitude right now as the Dem party line. While I understand the probable futility of a filibuster, I would hate to see ANY Democrat or ANY pro-choice Republican vote 'yes' on this guy (including Senator Specter).

[Kathy in Cambridge]

9. I agree. We need the Dems to fight this one.

If anything, we need our representatives to show some cojones so that Bush will think twice about presenting a wingnut as a nominee.

It frightens me that so many Dems are willing to sell the rights of their mothers, sisters, wives and daughters up the river.

[Lars39]

10. Baptist Press News is pushing him, too.

It's what I expected, but still very alarming.

[Modem Butterfly]

11. Ann Coulter calls him a latter-day Souter

http://www.anncoulter.com

It means nothing that Roberts wrote briefs arguing for the repeal of Roe v. Wade when he worked for Republican administrations. He was arguing on behalf of his client, the United States of America. Roberts has specifically disassociated himself from those cases, dropping a footnote to a 1994 law review article that said:

“In the interest of full disclosure, the author would like to point out that as Deputy Solicitor General for a portion of the 1992-93 Term, he was involved in many of the cases discussed below. In the interest of even fuller disclosure, he would also like to point out that his views as a commentator on those cases do not necessarily reflect his views as an advocate for his former client, the United States.”

This would have been the legal equivalent, after O.J.'s acquittal, of Johnnie Cochran saying, "hey, I never said the guy was innocent. I was just doing my job."

[ibegurpard]

16. An old trick

When you want something to make it through with little controversy you get your biggest nutcases to make a stink about it, thus making it appear that it is something EVERYONE is unhappy with and therefore a middle-ground solution.

[Modem Butterfly]

19. I don't think so

Roberts wouldn't have undercut himself on this issue like that in the hopes that 11 years down the road he would be nominated to the Supreme Court for a second time and provide cover for the Neo-Con agenda.

[ibegurpard]

25. You underestimate these people

Many of them have been planning and orchestrating since the Nixon era.

[Modem Butterfly]

27. There's no such thing as psychics

There may very well be an overarching plan, but I don't think this is part of it. If it were, * would likely have put up a serious Nazi to make Roberts look even better.

[MidnightWind]

13. But it seems to me that the GOP is dying for us to oppose him--

they were quoting left and right last night opposition that Dems had made to former court nominees. They seem to be trying to provoke us to oppose this guy so the focus will get taken off of Rove. Just my take on it, fwiw.

[Baconfoot]

24. The guy pointing a gun at your head is dying for you to hand over...

the cash in the register.

But the analogy isn't perfect here because while the robber can choose not to shoot you, Bush has already nominated this guy.

That's what makes the Bush administration evil geniuses.

Superman MUST stop to push the boy out from under the bus even though it costs him precious time. ANd this "boy" is a lifetime appointment of a n anti civil-rights anti-choice 50 year old to the Supreme Court.

Bang Bang.

[ibegurpard]

35. They ARE dying for us to oppose him

And that is why the nuts (like Ann Coulter) are bashing him right now...they're expecting us to play our role and bash him from the left, thus making him appear "moderate."
Democrats are handling it properly at the moment...appearing to take a wait-and-see attitude that will give them more credibility come hearing time. Be sure you contact them and let them know your concerns.

[ibegurpard]

15. Absolutely

Ann Coulter, et al. are simply playing the "protest but not too loudly" game that makes it seem like he is a moderate.

[Zomby Woof]

17. NPR is doing a major feature now

The woman representing the RW is spewing all the major talking points we should be expecting - "We want a judge who won't impose his views on the bench", "Roe v Wade was wrongly decided", and of course, she raised the spectre of "the gruesome" so-called 'partial-birth abortion'. Always love that "impose their views" bit, which is always okay when the views are anti-choice, naturally.

They seem a bit too excited about him. Caution is merited.

Also heard Senator Kennedy's statement, which was not exactly welcoming of the nominee, without being too much on the offensive. Perfect balance to set up a bigger fight when the hearings are ready.

[ibegurpard]

21. Agreed

And the Democrats are handling it well right now...keeping their views about it low-profile. Coming out of the starting gate opposed to it simply makes it look like they were set up to oppose any nominee Bush put forth. Keep talking about the Rove treason issue until the hearings.

[Baconfoot]

18. I just now realized people seriously don't believe he'd overturn RvW

Well if you think his MANY arguments as an attorney against RvW friendly positions (the most important coming while he was in a POLITICAL position might I add) don't constitute evidence as to how he thinks about this issue, think again. And while you're thinking I'll be flying down or driving down or walking down to where ever I can do some good in fighting the LIFE-TIME appointment of this horrible YOUNG anti-civil rights stepford husband to the Supreme Court.

This is more important than midterm elections.

[Goldmund]

22. Yes, he seems pretty bad

However -- what are the chances that he could ultimately be stopped and somebody more moderate nominated instead?

Let's think about that question. I'm not saying I have the answer -- but I am saying that if we conclude that he will be confirmed in the end anyway, then there is no sense in fighting it.

We have the GOP in the corner on a whole bunch of issues; this one has the potential of being beneficial to them. If fighting this has almost no chance of success, then we should turn to issues where we have them cornered.

[Solly Mack]

23. The climate we live in now is not the usual Dem. verses Rep. politicking

where politicians trade barbs, people disagree, and the democratic process keeps on churning...

Selection 2000 should have dispelled the notion of a healthy and viable democratic process. Selection 2000 was no mere symptom - it was the diagnosis of the disease.


Right wingers are bolder and more dangerous now than they have ever been. They have stolen the reigns of power and have run with them. They don't intend on letting go.

Words of compromise from a republican mouth mean nothing. They are playing for keeps and far too many fail to recognize this to the detriment of everyone.

I agree...be afraid.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

26. John Roberts...

The new super happy fun face of right-wing bigotry!

[ElectroPrincess]

30. Down the road he may prove O.K. ...

Remember the Right Wing is not happy with either O'Connor - they consider her a liberal. And what about Souter? Don't get the Republicans talking about that mistake.

He doesn't have any major skeletons in his closet so I'm not going to get worked up in a lather over this.

What does crack me up in a funny way is how Rehnquist put the Right Wingers in their place by flatly stating he is NOT YET ready to retire.

The right wing was foaming at the mouth for TWO nominations before October. That was a very very nice announcement by a Justice I do not agree with politically.

You have to realize that if Rehnquist has RESERVATIONS about retiring now, things are BAD, real BAD for genuine conservatives.

[me b zola]

38. Roberts is a political activist who will legislate from the bench!

Roberts was heavily involved in the 2000 recount in Florida.

He was rewarded for his work by being confirmed to the Court of Appeals.

Now he is being further rewarded.

I will be writing to the Senate today to inform/remind them of this and to let them know that this is unacceptable.


Skinner, could we make this a project for the DU Activist Corp?

[Maddy McCall]

40. ...