The Left\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\’s Broad Brush
WASHINGTON — In lock step with Leftist interest groups, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) issued a statement on August 16th deriding Judge Roberts as wanting to, “reverse… decades of policies on civil rights, voting rights, women’s rights, privacy, and access to justice.” Senator Kennedy followed suit with allegations that Judge Roberts “…was part of an intense effort to impede progress on numerous key issues, such as progress on equal rights for women.” These accusations followed the Left’s blasting of Democratic Senators not being willing enough to defeat Judge Roberts at all cost.
These allegations against a Judge Roberts – given the highest qualifications by the American Bar Association and confirmed by unanimous consent for his current position on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals – demonstrate that the Left will paint any Republican judicial nominee with the same brush.
Justice David Souter was opposed by several Leftist interest groups on the same grounds. The extreme-Left Alliance for Justice said at the time, “The alliance is convinced that Judge Souter will not protect the rights of those suffering discrimination on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or literacy.” An Alliance partner added that he will not defend “individual rights and liberties.” Senator Kennedy, following the extreme Left’s lead, voted against Justice Souter. Justice Souter has become a darling of the Left and yet was vigorously opposed by the same groups who heap praise upon him today.
Judicial nominees should be judged by their honesty, strength, and competency. As members of an independent judiciary the content of the nominee’s character and judicial philosophy should be placed at the top.
Americans for Tax Reform has called on the Senate to meet its constitutional obligations and ensure a speedy confirmation process with an up or down vote on all judicial nominees.