Archive: January 01, 2006 - January 07, 2006
David Broder on Samuel Alito
The Washington Post "When John Roberts came before the Judiciary Committee for confirmation as chief justice, with barely more than two years of judicial opinions behind him, he was thoroughly believable in disclaiming any particular agenda. All Republicans and half the Democrats saw him, as I did, as an embodiment of judicial impartiality.Maybe Alito can establish a similar claim for himself in these hearings. But he has a lot of convincing to do."...
By Fred Barbash | January 7, 2006; 1:54 PM ET | Email a Comment
Hearings a Test for Both Democrats and Alito - New York Times
By Sheryl Gay Stolberg "Even before Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr. arrives on Capitol Hill for his Supreme Court confirmation hearings, Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee appear lined up solidly against him. The big question is whether they will try to block the nomination by filibuster, and if so, which side will be left standing when the political dust settles."...
By Fred Barbash | January 7, 2006; 1:49 PM ET | Comments (1)
Sitting Judges to Speak on Alito's Behalf-The Washington Post
By Charles Babington...
By Fred Barbash | January 7, 2006; 7:49 AM ET | Email a Comment
7 Federal Appeals Judges to Testify to Alito's Character - New York Times
By Sheryl Gay Stolberg "In an unusual move, Senate Republicans have called seven federal judges, all of them colleagues of Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr. on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, to testify as character witnesses for him next week at his Supreme Court confirmation hearings."...
By Fred Barbash | January 7, 2006; 6:34 AM ET | Email a Comment
A Field Guide to the Alito Confirmation Hearings-Law.com
By Tony Mauro...
By Fred Barbash | January 7, 2006; 6:31 AM ET | Comments (1)
Sen. Kennedy's Op-Ed in The Washington Post
Alito's Credibility Problem "Every Supreme Court nominee bears a heavy burden to demonstrate that he or she is committed to the constitutional principles that have been vital in advancing fairness, decency and equal opportunity in our society. As Judge Samuel Alito approaches his confirmation hearings next week, the more we learn about him, the more questions we have about the credibility of his assurances to us."...
By Fred Barbash | January 7, 2006; 6:29 AM ET | Email a Comment
Washington Post Editorial on Allito
Judge Alito Dissenting "Judge Alito's dissents offer much with which we disagree. But they are the work of a serious and scholarly judge whose arguments deserve respect -- a respect evident among his colleagues even when their positions differ."...
By Fred Barbash | January 7, 2006; 6:28 AM ET | Email a Comment
C-SPAN Broadcast Schedule for Alito Hearings
C-SPAN Press Release: This Monday, the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Judge Samuel Alito begin at noon ET. We'll be airing them live as they happen on C-SPAN, and you can also hear them on C-SPAN Radio or watch online at http://www.c-span.org. The hearings start at 9:30 am ET on C-SPAN the rest of the week. And every day of the hearings, we will re-air them in their entirety in prime time at 8 pm ET on C-SPAN when you're home to watch. Follow the rest of the confirmation process with the C-SPAN networks -- watch the committee vote on C-SPAN, and then the Senate floor debate and vote on C-SPAN2. C-SPAN Radio is available in the Washington, D.C., area at 90.1 FM, and nationwide on Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio....
By Fred Barbash | January 6, 2006; 6:39 PM ET | Comments (1)
Alito's Bias: The Pro-Law Geek--Rich Lowry
National Review Online "A little dorkiness won't hurt. It's the charge of opposing civil rights that could damage Alito, that is if it weren't a slander made in a desperate attempt to stop a nominee who will very likely be sitting on the Supreme Court by February."...
By Fred Barbash | January 6, 2006; 1:39 PM ET | Comments (6)
List of Democratic Witnesses in Alito Hearing
Click here to see the list of Democratic witnesses for Judiciary Committee Alito hearing....
By Fred Barbash | January 6, 2006; 11:29 AM ET | Comments (1)
$650,000 Spent on Alito Ads So Far, More to Come--Justice at Stake
Click here for press release on expectations for spending on advertising pro and con Alito nomination....
By Fred Barbash | January 6, 2006; 11:16 AM ET | Email a Comment
Falwell Backs Alito
The AP reports: The Reverend Jerry Falwell says he's backing Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito because he trusts that President Bush picked someone who opposes abortion. But the Lynchburg minister and Liberty University chancellor says that senators shouldn't ask Alito whether he would vote to overturn Roe v. Wade. Falwell and other Christian leaders are scheduled to speak at a nationally broadcast rally this Sunday, on the eve of Alito's confirmation hearings. Falwell says President Bush promised to pick justices "who are like Scalia and Thomas" and he trusts that "the president is keeping his word." "Justice Sunday Three" will be broadcast Sunday evening by satellite into churches and on many Christian radio and television stations....
By Fred Barbash | January 6, 2006; 11:00 AM ET | Email a Comment
Urban League Opposes Alito
The National Urban League issued the following press release today: The National Urban League today called for the Senate to reject the nomination of Judge Samuel A. Alito, Jr. to be an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court. "The National Urban League arrived at this decision after a careful and exhaustive review of Judge Alito's record," said Marc H. Morial, National Urban League president and CEO. "Our examination reveals that, throughout his legal career, Judge Alito has consistently interpreted the Constitution and laws in a manner that undermines civil rights, equality of opportunity and social justice." The National Urban League's recommendations are contained in a detailed report, prepared by the National Urban League Policy Institute, which analyzed several criteria, including Judge Alito's judicial record, judicial philosophy, and professional qualifications....
By Fred Barbash | January 6, 2006; 10:57 AM ET | Comments (16)
At Hearings, Democrats Plan to Call Critics of Alito's Integrity - New York Times
By David D. Kirkpatrick "Signaling their intent to put up a tough fight in next week's hearings on the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr., Senate Democrats said Thursday that they would call at least two witnesses who could question his personal credibility as well several experts on civil rights and constitutional law."...
By Fred Barbash | January 6, 2006; 2:50 AM ET | Email a Comment
Even Before Alito Hearings, the Verdicts Are In--Dana Milbank
The Washington Post "Do not be surprised if, at some point during next week's confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito, a trumpet blast is sounded in the hearing room, winged angels descend, and Democrats on the Judiciary Committee turn into pillars of salt.This undoubtedly would be the wish of the Rev. Rob Schenck, president of the National Clergy Council. He held a news conference outside the Hart Office Building yesterday to announce that he would 'consecrate Room 216 Hart' -- the hearing room -- in hopes of having, in the sacred words of Fox News, 'a fair and balanced hearing.'"...
By Fred Barbash | January 6, 2006; 2:47 AM ET | Email a Comment
Senators to Demand Full Answers From Alito-The Washington Post
By Charles BabingtonSenate Democrats warned Supreme Court nominee Samuel A. Alito Jr. yesterday to expect pointed questions at next week's hearing, and said they may postpone a final vote on his confirmation until late Januar...
By Fred Barbash | January 6, 2006; 2:45 AM ET | Email a Comment
Alito Vote Possibly Delayed a Week by Dems--AP
Jesse J. Holland of AP is reporting that: Senate Democrats plan to delay the Judiciary Committee's vote on Samuel Alito's nomination to the Supreme Court for at least a week, slowing what could have been a quick confirmation process for President Bush's pick to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter had hoped to hold a committee vote on Alito's nomination on Jan. 17, a little over a week from the Monday start of the federal appellate judge's confirmation hearings. But Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., told Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., on Thursday that Democrats will invoke their right to hold the Alito committee vote over for one week, Senate leadership aides told The Associated Press. The aides spoke on conditions of anonymity because the move had not been announced yet. Frist had been pushing for a Jan. 20 confirmation vote for Alito in...
By Fred Barbash | January 5, 2006; 5:47 PM ET | Comments (1)
Questioning Justice: Law and Politics in Judicial Confirmation Hearings
In this Yale Law Journal/Pocket Part article, accompanied by commentary, Robert Post and Reva Siegal suggest a more fulfilling approach to the questioning of judicial candidates by the Judiciary Commitee. " We propose a practice of questioning that is fully consistent with this constitutional balance of values: Senators can ask Supreme Court nominees about how they would have voted in cases that the Supreme Court has already decided. We demonstrate that such questions neither compromise the independence of the judiciary nor politicize the rule of law, but instead serve important structural values. They can help generate the democratic legitimacy necessary for courts to exercise the formidable power of judicial review."...
By Fred Barbash | January 5, 2006; 4:48 PM ET | Email a Comment
Liberal Groups to Release Ads Attacking Court Pick - New York Times
By David D. Kirkpatrick "The battle over the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr. turned personal Wednesday with the announcement of new commercials that sharply escalated liberal attacks on him, moving beyond his legal views to attack his character and credibility instead."...
By Fred Barbash | January 5, 2006; 2:48 AM ET | Email a Comment
Alito Likely to Be Grilled More Than Roberts--The Washington Post
By Charles Babington and Michael A. Fletcher"Supreme Court nominee Samuel A. Alito Jr. will face a more intensive Senate grilling next week than Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. experienced last year because of concerns over secret surveillance of Americans and Alito's lengthy record of conservative rulings, several lawmakers and interest groups said yesterday."...
By Fred Barbash | January 5, 2006; 2:39 AM ET | Email a Comment
Misrepresenting Sam--National Review Online
By Peter Kirsanow"Opponents of Judge Alito's confirmation to the Supreme Court assert that he commonly erects extraordinarily high standards for Title VII plaintiffs. This is false."...
By Fred Barbash | January 4, 2006; 4:13 PM ET | Comments (2)
People for the American Way Report on Alito
People for the American Way has released a new 155 page report critical of Alito as "out of line" with mainstream Americans. Click here for the press relase....
By Fred Barbash | January 4, 2006; 11:56 AM ET | Comments (4)
Alito "well qualified" says ABA
The Associated Press is reporting that Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito has received a unanimous “well-qualified” rating from the American Bar Association. Here is the story by Jesse J. Holland: Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito received a unanimous well-qualified rating from the American Bar Association on Wednesday, giving his nomination momentum as the Senate prepares for confirmation hearings next week. The rating came after a vote of an ABA committee and will be delivered to the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will launch Alito’s confirmation hearings on Monday. Alito will face almost an hour of questioning from each of the 18 senators on the committee. The ABA rating — the highest — is the same that Alito received back in 1990, when President Bush’s father, George H.W. Bush, nominated him to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. There was one recusal from the voting committee, the ABA said. The group...
By Fred Barbash | January 4, 2006; 11:34 AM ET | Comments (5)
Alito Described As Smart, Serious, Cautious--AP profile
By Nancy Benac...
By Fred Barbash | January 3, 2006; 5:48 PM ET | Email a Comment
Progress for America pro-Alito Ad
Click here to view the PFA ad in support of Judge Alito. Here is the text of the ad provided by PFA:"DRIP, DRIP, DRIP -ANNOUNCER: Everyday, desperate liberals make up a steady drip of attacks against Judge Samuel Alito. -Want the truth? -Respected Supreme Court analyst Stuart Taylor, of the non-partisan National Journal: Alito 'is widely admired by liberals, moderates, and conservatives who know him well as fair-minded, committed to apolitical judging, and wedded to no ideological agenda other than restraint in the exercise of judicial power.' -Confirm Judge Samuel Alito."In a press release, the organization said the ad will air Jan. 3 through Jan. 9 on CNN and Fox News....
By Fred Barbash | January 3, 2006; 8:25 AM ET | Comments (5)
The Week Ahead--Alito
With the confirmation hearing for Samuel A. Alito just a week away, many may be tuning in to the nomination seriously for the first time. For those in search of background material on Alito as a judge, the analysis of cases that appeared in The Washington Post Sunday by Amy Goldstein and Sarah Cohen is unique in its thoroughness and breadth. Click here to access the entire package. For further biographical and background material on Alito click here.The materials include a short biography, links to stories, links to documents and links to further resources.When the hearings begin, this Supreme Court Nomination Blog will provide realtime coverage, video and audio excerpts, transcripts and a forum for your comments. Bookmark this URL....
By Fred Barbash | January 3, 2006; 3:19 AM ET | Email a Comment
Rival factions begin 'serious push' on Alito-USA Today
By Kathy Kiely and Mark Memmott "After a month dominated by other controversies in Congress and the holiday break, the fight over Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito is about to commence."...
By Fred Barbash | January 3, 2006; 3:03 AM ET | Email a Comment
NPR : History as a Guide to Alito's Nomination Hearings
Audio of Nina Totenberg on All Things Considered...
By Fred Barbash | January 3, 2006; 3:00 AM ET | Email a Comment
Advocacy Groups Prepare New Ad Campaigns on Alito - New York Times
By David D. Kirkpatrick "In the final days before hearings on the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr., partisans on both sides are pulling out all the stops in an effort to sway public opinion."...
By Fred Barbash | January 3, 2006; 2:59 AM ET | Email a Comment
Question for Judge Alito: What About One Person One Vote? - New York Times
Editorial commentary by Adam Cohen "There has been a lot of talk about the abortion views of Judge Alito, President Bush's Supreme Court nominee. But his views on the redistricting cases may be more important. Senator Joseph Biden Jr., the Delaware Democrat who will be one of those doing the questioning when confirmation hearings begin next week, said recently that Judge Alito's statements about one person one vote could do more to jeopardize his nomination than his statements about Roe v. Wade."...
By Fred Barbash | January 3, 2006; 2:57 AM ET | Email a Comment
Charles Fried's New York Times Op-Ed
Fried was Solicitor General from 1985 to 1989.Samuel Alito, in Context "Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr.'s opponents have seized upon two memorandums he wrote when he was a junior lawyer in the office of the solicitor general: one on the Thornburgh case, which dealt with Roe v. Wade, and the other on Mitchell v. Forsyth, which addressed the attorney general's personal liability for wiretaps found to violate the Constitution. Determined to fit the man to the Scalito caricature with which they hope to defeat his nomination to the Supreme Court, Judge Alito's detractors ignore the context and the content of both documents."...
By Fred Barbash | January 3, 2006; 2:51 AM ET | Email a Comment
Alito Once Made Case For Presidential Power-The Washington Post
By Christopher Lee "As a young Justice Department lawyer, Supreme Court nominee Samuel A. Alito Jr. tried to help tip the balance of power between Congress and the White House a little more in favor of the executive branch."...
By Fred Barbash | January 2, 2006; 8:38 AM ET | Email a Comment
Alito and Big Brother-Palm Beach Post, Editorial
Palm Beach Post "It is difficult to imagine that conservatives can feel good about Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito Jr. His opinions, revealed in new documents released by the National Archives, show a desire to give government the kind of power most conservatives abhor."...
By Fred Barbash | January 2, 2006; 8:36 AM ET | Email a Comment
Alito Team Says He Lacks Polish, But Grit Is a Plus - New York Times
By David D. Kirkpatrick "....Two of Judge Alito's supporters who participated in the murder boards, speaking about the confidential sessions on condition of anonymity for fear of White House reprisals, said they emerged convinced that his demeanor was a political asset because it gave him an Everyman appeal."...
By Fred Barbash | January 2, 2006; 8:33 AM ET | Email a Comment
