Posted on 11/01/2005 9:09:39 AM PST by indianrightwinger
Conservatives enthusiastic about Alito Democrats considering filibuster of Supreme Court nominee
Tuesday, November 1, 2005; Posted: 11:50 a.m. EST (16:50 GMT)
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The White House got the reaction it wanted out of its third Supreme Court nominee, federal appeals judge Samuel Alito: immediate acceptance from the conservatives who helped torpedo President Bush's previous pick.
But abortion rights Democrats are openly talking about trying to block the New Jersey jurist.
"The filibuster's on the table," Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer of California said as Alito headed back to Capitol Hill on Tuesday. Alito is courting Republicans crucial to his attempt to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
But Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, the No. 2 Senate Democrat, said, "I don't think we should assume that's going to happen at all." He said Democrats needed to learn much more about Alito's values and beliefs on topics like the right to privacy, women's rights and the environment.
"I don't think we should race to a conclusion here," Durbin said on CBS' "The Early Show." "Ordinarily it takes six to eight weeks to evaluate a Supreme Court nominee. We shouldn't rush to judgment."
Bush nominated Alito to the Supreme Court on Monday as a substitute for White House counsel Harriet Miers, who withdrew last week after conservatives refused to support her. Some other critics also said she wasn't qualified.
But Alito found steadfast support after Bush announced his selection, with GOP senators saying he deserved a Senate confirmation vote and threatening to eliminate judicial filibusters if Democrats try to block the White House's newest high court nominee.
"If someone would filibuster ... I would be prepared to vote to change the rules," said Sen. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Wow. Upcoming elections seem to grow a spine even on a snake. :-))
"I don't think we should race to a conclusion here," Durbin said.
Oh, this is good: Turban Durbin "raced to a conclusion" about Gitmo so he could smear our troops, but won't "race to a conclusion" on a highly-qualified, unanimously approved circuit court judge. He's a fool.
But he also needs cojones.
I'm keeping count of statements from the 7 Repub gang members.
Dewine...on board
Graham...on board
McCain...wait and see
Chafee...talking like a Dem
I think that leaves Snowe, Collins and Warner.
Any others chime in yet?
Dramamine time. Isn't he a member of the "Gang of 14"?
Turban is just saying that they don't have anything on Alito yet. It takes 6-8 weeks to properly smear a public figure.
We only need two of the Gang of 14 ... with Dewine and Graham, we're there! (with Cheney's help of course)
Facing the prospect of losing one's job always gives one a backbone.
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