The White House, as you know, is interested in having the matter concluded by the end of the year. I do not know that that is realistic. I do not know that that is unrealistic.What I do know is that we're going to do it right, and we're not necessarily going to do it fast.
If it can be done within the time frame by the end of the year and done properly with an opportunity to review Judge Alito's record and have the kind of hearings that are necessary for this kind of a very, very key position -- you hear it said often, but frankly not too often, that short of a declaration of war, the most important function of the United States Senate is the confirmation of U.S. Supreme court justice for lifetime terms.
They make the decision on the cutting edges of all of the big questions in our society.
As things have evolved, the Congress punts to the court, the executive branch punts to the court. And they have lifetime tenure and independence, and they have come somehow in our society to take on those cutting edge questions. So it is very, very important.
Transcript: Sen. Specter Discusses Alito Nomination | Oct 31, 2005
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Confirmation hearings are to begin in January for Samuel Alito, President Bush's nominee for the Supreme Court seat now held by Sandra Day O'Connor, leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee said Thursday.When announcing Alito's nomination on Monday, President Bush called for a vote by the end of the year. The judiciary committee's chairman, Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pennsylvania, and ranking member, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, announced Thursday that the hearings would begin on January 9. ...
McCain said he is "very favorably disposed" toward Alito, but "it's my obligation to go along with the Gang of 14 and have periodic meetings and discussions."
Republican Sens. Mike DeWine of Ohio, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and Olympia Snowe of Maine have said they don't see Alito triggering the "extraordinary circumstances" standard the group had set that could initiate a filibuster.
McCain says it is his "obligation" to go along with the Gang of 14!!!
What an incredible thing to say....Arizona freepers, how do you like that? McCain has transferred his obligations from you, to a bunch of libs and RINOS....and admitted it.
That sentence should be in any candidate's arsenal that runs against McCain for anything, from now on.
What's the case that's contra to this 9th Circuit ruling on sex-ed? It's Pierce vs. Sisters or something. Maybe it was a Cath. School, that's why it was different.