war of souls
a few weeks ago, i contact senator patty murray's office through phone and email about my concern over John Roberts. I told them that i would prefer that she vote no in his congressional confirmation hearings. I got this email back from "her" (surely a mass-email) today.
Dear Mr. Sanford:
Thank you for contacting me about the confirmation of John G. Roberts
to be Chief Justice of the United States. I appreciate hearing from you
about this important matter.
As you know, Chief Justice Roberts was confirmed by the Senate on
September 29, 2005 by a vote of 78-22. I voted to confirm Chief Justice
Roberts.
The U.S. Constitution charges the Senate with advising on and
consenting to presidential nominees to the Federal bench. I consider the
Senate’s advise and consent role to be one of my most important duties as a
U.S. Senator. In evaluating judicial nominees I have always followed a
deliberate process of examining each nominee’s record, experience and
testimony to see if they meet the basic standards of honesty, ethics,
qualifications, and fairness. I then evaluate the nominee to determine
if they will be independent, even-handed in deciding cases, and if they
will uphold our rights and our liberties.
In reaching a decision on Judge Roberts I reviewed all of the
information available to me, and then examined how he measured up to my criteria
for judicial nominees. I followed the Senate Judiciary Committee’s
hearings closely and reviewed their transcripts. Additionally, I spoke with
Judge Roberts twice during the confirmation process. I found him to be
honest, ethical and fair. And I believe he will be independent and
even-handed in deciding the cases before the Supreme Court.
I had a harder time evaluating whether Judge Roberts will be uphold the
rights and liberties of all Americans. I wish the White House had been
more forthcoming with Judge Roberts’ writings, and that the nominee had
been more responsive to some of the asked of him during the Judiciary
Committee’s hearings. However, I have concluded that as a decent person
with keen intellect and high ethical standards, Judge Roberts does know
the difference between the role of advocate and the role of judge. I
think that he has the capacity to be fair, and I think he aims to serve
all of the American people. As to upholding the rights and liberties
of all Americans, I believe that Judge Roberts has a healthy regard for
precedent and intends to apply a thoughtful approach to interpreting
the law.
While listening to the opinions of Washingtonians during the
confirmation process, I knew that some would be disappointed in my decision -
regardless of what it was. I appreciate the honest and open input that I
received from my constituents. Those opinions and my evaluation of
Judge Roberts’ record led me to carefully consider my vote for some time.
In the end, I was satisfied that Judge Roberts met my long-standing
criteria for judicial nominees.
I cast my vote with the hope that Judge Roberts will be an individual
who will combine common sense and decency with a real respect for how
the law affects each American as he serves out his tenure on the Supreme
Court. In spending time with him and reviewing the available record, I
believe Judge Roberts has the capacity to be that kind of Justice.
When I met with him, Judge Roberts expressed his hope to be remembered as
“a Justice for all Americans.” I hope that my vote along with a diverse
group of my Senate colleagues, reminds him every day that he must be a
judge for all Americans.
The Senate will soon consider the nomination of Harriet Miers to
succeed Sandra Day O’Connor as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. I hope
that the Bush Administration is more forthcoming in providing the
records and documents that the Senate needs to fully evaluate Ms. Miers.
Rest assured, I will keep your thoughts in mind as Senate considers her
nomination to fill this critical lifetime position as Associate Justice.
Again, thank you for contacting me. Please do not hesitate to contact
me in the future.
Sincerely,
Patty Murray
United States Senator
So....even though she "had a harder time evaluating whether Judge Roberts will be uphold the rights and liberties of all Americans" and she " wishes the White House had been more forthcoming with Judge Roberts’ writings, and that the nominee had been more responsive to some of the asked of him during the Judiciary
Committee’s hearings," she voted yes because he is a "decent person with keen intellect and high ethical standards."
jesus fucking christ, murray. you fucking tool. cantwell voted against roberts! why are you so fucking dense?
fucking bullshit. there is no way i'm voting for her dumb ass again unless the opposition is hitler or something ridiculous.