Dean: Bush shouldn't use nomination of extreme conservative to distract.

[madfloridian]

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=55907

Howard Dean on the Nomination of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court

10/31/2005 12:51:00 PM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To: National Desk

Contact: Karen Finney of the Democratic National Committee, 202-863-8148

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean today issued the following statement on the nomination of Samuel Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court:

"President Bush shouldn't try to use the nomination of an extreme conservative to distract from the ethical problems his White House is facing. Three days after a top White House official was indicted, President Bush continued his troubling pattern of playing to his right-wing political base in times of political trouble. In an indication of his weakened political position, Bush has nominated Samuel Alito, a conservative activist judge, to replace Justice O'Connor, who has been a voice of moderation on the Court for a generation.

"A lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court of the United States is too important to be sacrificed on the altar of short-term political gain. President Bush's nomination of Alito is not leadership, it is capitulation.

"Alito's record suggests an activist judicial philosophy bent on rolling back the rights and freedoms that all Americans value. Alito has sought to limit the rights of women and people with disabilities in discrimination cases, demonstrated an open hostility to women's privacy rights even in basic reproductive health matters, has a record of hostility toward immigrants, and tried to immunize employers from employment discrimination cases. It is particularly troubling that President Bush would nominate a judge who would reverse American progress and make the Supreme Court look less like America on the same day that most Americans are honoring the life and legacy of Rosa Parks."

[afdip]

1. isn't it a little naive to expect the busheviks to play fair????

[jpgray]

12. The point is to get the idea out there--the public doesn't think like you

A dwindling majority of Americans really wants to believe the president is trying his best to do a good job. We all would like to believe that, and some people will do their best to convince themselves. Dean saying this isn't so much to indicate his own thought process as to get the idea out there that Bush is playing a distraction game. Make sense?

[Mass]

2. "weakened political position" - Good, they have coordinated their messages

Kennedy, Kerry also used the same expression.

[madfloridian]

3. I noticed that. I like the coordination.

:hi:

[blm]

6. I'm ecstatic. Dean's coordinating language in a way that MacAuliffe didn't

MacAuliffe had some strengths, but, coordinating language with a team of trusted Dems was not one of them.

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

4. Activist judicial philosophy - turning back clock

Good point to raise. Shoves RW rhetoric up their collective asses.

[blm]

5. YES! Dean uses the W word - WEAKENED.

He's on the same page as Kerry and Kennedy. This is great to hear.

[madfloridian]

7. I do like that as well.

He is weakened, and the only reason he gets his attention is because of the media being like they are.

I like that they are doing this.

[blm]

8. The more Ds say it, the more likely it will get past GOP controlled media

.

[longship]

9. This is brilliant issue framing.

Dean really has this issue nailed!! Now the rest of the Dems should pick up the mantle on it.

[Mr_Spock]

10. I agree - Dean has framed the issue appropriately.

This one must be withdrawn as well.

[kevinbgoode]

11. I think Dean has stumbled on something very important here. . .

We should repeat the phrase "right wing activist judge" as much as possible. And let the wingnuts try to defend him.

[Plaid Adder]

13. Frame! Frame! Frame like the wind!!

I love this!

I will tell you what I like about the past few weeks. It shows that our politicians are starting to understand how to strategize. This will sometimes lead to us the base going, :wtf:, but I now have some hope that they are all going somewhere with this.

First of all, Reid's apparent approval of Harriet Miers. Does anyone believe that was sincere? Apparently, the religious right did--which is exactly what, I hope, Reid wanted. Result: We are deprived of what I'm sure would have been a nice juicy set of scathing remarks from Reid et al--BUT we have the spectacle of Bush having to beat his own party's slavering attack dogs off his own nominee's cowering form. They look like a bunch of power-mad factional lunatics, we get to rest up for Round II.

And now, we have Dean's response to this. Do you not love how Dean gets "extreme conservative" right into the first sentence, and then attaches it to "ethical problems"? And then calls Alito a judicial activist?

People, you gotta get past just looking at these announcements for their truth content. Yes, all of this stuff is actually true...but what matters is how beautifully it's framed. Like the way he manages to connect the right to choose with civil rights in a positive way. It's all about getting there first.

This is great. Fetch me more :popcorn:!

C ya,

The Plaid Adder

[Borgnine]

24. Wonderfully said.

Under Dean, I think the DNC is finally becoming a force to deal with.

[Patsy Stone]

26. To this point:

"Do you not love how Dean gets "extreme conservative" right into the first sentence, and then attaches it to "ethical problems"? And then calls Alito a judicial activist?"

I do love it. So much so, I was going to post it. Thanks for saving me the trouble and phrasing it much better than I would have.

[Canuckistanian]

14. Well, he has. Whatcha gonna do about it?

Enough Dems will roll over to have their tummies scratched, so he gets away with it. Again.

[ncanadianlee]

18. Dino's

Look at the Robert's numbers. At least 15 Dino's will cave.

[newyawker99]

36. Hi ncanadianlee!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[GoreDean2008]

15. ALITO IS WOMAN-HATER

Way to go Dean!

We have to fight against Alito to protect America from "Christian Talibans" overthrowing our Constitution. We have to shred this nomination completely so the Bush White House can never resurface another extremist as Supreme Court nominee.

[mzmolly]

16. Dean is making the rounds today, and he's doing a great job!

He's coming up on Hawdbaw!

[MadisonProgressive]

17. The last poll I saw showed 70% of Americans support Roe

so how can you justify this Alito asshole?

I heard Frist today demanding an "up or down vote". Funny I didn't hear one republican say that during the Harriet Miers nomination.

Fucking shitbag hypocrites!

[UrbScotty]

19. Dean gets it - so should all Senate Dems

Those who don't just don't get it.

[texpatriot2004]

20. Thank you Howard Dean. You speak for me. n/t

[neuvocat]

21. Its an obvious point to me...

only after reading this however.

[Straight Shooter]

22. The irony of nominating Alito while America still mourns Rosa Parks.

Yes, Dr. Dean, you nailed it. bush operates from a position of weakness. The nomination of Alito is the sound of spare change rattling in an empty suit, the remains of bush's so-called political capital.

[Jamnt]

23. A few choice cases

should be chosen and cited at every opportunity demonstrating this guys position. This is necessary to convince the intellectuals that this guy is real trouble. Timed and coordinated attacks from multiple sources citing the same message will hopefully get the teeming millions the message. Unlike Miers, we have the information needed to bury this guy, it needs to be presented in a way the media can't avoid.

[Chemical Bill]

25. Kick his ass, Howard. n/t

[Joey Liberal]

27. Arlito = Carlito

So, we've gone from Bush's cleaning lady to Carlito Breganti. Why doesn't Bush just nominate Al Pacino for the Supreme Court?

[No Blood for Hubris]

28. Go, Howard! Wish you were totally in control of the Dem

party.

Wake up, America! This supreme court nomination is a big deal.

Do you want you--or those you care for--to be strong-armed into government-forced maternity? Do you possibly think that government-forced maternity is the best outcome for a child?

Think again.

Then, act.

[newyawker99]

37. Hi No War for Hubris

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[autorank]

29. Of course he did;) but there's another reason...

...he needs his anti-abortion base to fight being "resigned," which is where all this is going. Cheney goes, some moderate is put in and then Bush gets the word, resign for health reasons. Bush knows that by now and he won't go even if Poppy is the one carrying the message (especially if it's Poppy).

So, what do you do when you're in big trouble because you've been a total shit head for five years, you cater to those who will support you no matter what on the basis of one issue. This nominee is also appealing to the "Bunker Hunt" type money since he's one of those who believes that everything since FDR is unconstitutional. Add some serious money to the 25% or so Americans who will support Saddam as President of he's trying to abolish abortion (yes "abolish")

Great post! We'll win, no doubt about it.

As the commander of the artillery said to the Russel Crowe character in "Gladiator" as they both looked out over the Germanic tribes rallying for battle: "Why don't these people just realize when they're defeated."

[marmar]

30. Keep the eye on the prize...

Good job keeping the focus where it should be, Howard. The Distraction President is at it again.

:dem:

[dargondogon]

31. With Rosa in rotunda, Bush wanted Janice Rogers Brown

I bet Alito was his second choice. Well, obviously Alito was his second to Miers, third to John Roberts. But I bet they put Rosa Parks' body in the Capitol as a gimmick to help pave the way for a conservative, black woman nominee, and Janice Rogers Brown declined.

Just guessing though.

[newyawker99]

38. Hi dargondogon!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Andromeda]

32. Dean is a genius.

He has a gift for saying just what needs to be said at a time when Bush is at his most vulnerable.

Keep it up Howard! Gawd, I love that man!

[Nothing Without Hope]

33. An important element of strategy: Alito threatens MUCH MORE THAN ROE

This extremist is on record for having opposed many basic civil rights and even many people who oppose abortion will be appalled by some of his radical positions. We must gather the documentation, organize it, and blast the public, the media, and ALL members of Congress.

See these two threads for more info as well as (in a reply) links to THREE PETITIONS to defeat Alito:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2204776
thread title (10/31): Why Alito? Booman explains: Roe destroyed, Bush’s crimes buried. Petition:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2206263
thread title (10/31): Not just Roe - Think Progress gives ALITO's awful civil rights positions:

And also the insight and advice in this piece at Steve Gilliard's blog:

http://stevegilliard.blogspot.com/2005/11/cry-for-help.html
(posted by gaije, Mon Oct 31, 2005 at 03:28:53 PM PDT)

(snip)

With this nomination, Bush is forcing Republican senators to go on record for or against Roe, as they enter the 2006 campaign season. Two thirds of Americans support Roe v. Wade. The Senate knows that. Any senator who votes for Alito will be saying good-bye to all those votes. Moderate republicans, swing voters, countless previously apathetic voters, will be going Democratic. The Democratic party will be galvanized around a single issue like it hasn't been in years, and its coffers overflowing. For a GOP senator, that's no good, it's no good at all.

Vote against him though, and they'll alienate the religious right. All that reliable fundraising, voter turnout & volunteer manpower down the drain. That's no good either. Apparently, someone forgot to tell Bush he's not supposed to put them in this position (Maybe that was Scooter's job.).

(snip)

Democrats are not going to be able to get behind this one, unless they're looking to retire.] Roberts they had to give a little benefit of the doubt, but this one's just impossible. The nuclear option's not going to fly on this one either. Frist's power is somewhat diminished, thanks to that pesky SEC investigation (so many investigations these days, so hard to keep track!). The GOP rank and file are caught between a rock & a hard, hard place here. They may just be thinking a fillibuster's their best out. How many do you really think are going to be willing to fall on their swords for the least popular (and worst) president ever? Their much vaunted "message discipline," has been slipping away for weeks, as they've realized Bush's ship is sinking, and they'd better jump off well before November 2006.

The thing to do here, is to base our opposition to Alito on everything but his anti-Roe potential. It'll take the GOP by surprise, they'll be all prepared with their "litmus test," talking points, and defenseless in the face of other questions. It also offers them some cover for a no vote.

(snip)

This blog piece ends with a suggested list of NON-ROE topics on which Alito has demonstrated extreme views that need to be publicized. It's much the same list, re-worded, as in the Think Progress list given in the opening post of this thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2206263
thread title (10/31): Not just Roe - Think Progress gives ALITO's awful civil rights positions:

Let's research, organize and frame talking points around the many outrageous positions Alito has taken. Then blast them to the media, the public, Congress, and take this to the wall. There are reasons to believe that if we give them an out (i.e., reasons besides Roe v Wade opposition), at least some moderate Republicans will join this fight.

And we must INSIST VEHEMENTLY that ALL the Dems stand against this would-be destroyer of civil liberties.

[Catfight]

34. BRILLANT SPEECH! Dean is on the mark! nt

[ignatzmouse]

35. Bush's Nominee Makeover Lie

Uh, didn't Bush say when he nominated Miers that in discussions with potential nominees that other qualified candidates weren't interested in the job because of the approval process? Either that was a lie or it is an admission that Alito is not qualified.