Archive: Interest Groups
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)
Pro-choice protesters
From the Associated Press: A small group of pro-choice advocates protested the selection of John Roberts as the Supreme Court nominee Thursday morning, waving signs on an intersection in the Roberts' hometown during the morning rush hour. Four demonstrators from the Maryland branch of NARAL Pro Choice held up signs that read "Honk 4 Choice" and "Keep Abortion Legal" at the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and East-West Highway. Roberts, a federal appeals court judge in Washington, lives in Chevy Chase....
By Fred Barbash | August 11, 2005; 11:41 AM ET | Comments (2)
Ads, especially NARAL's
The Associated Press quotes Sen. Patrick Leahy, the Judiciary Committee's ranking Democrat, as saying that advocay groups are "wasting their money on ads." Advocacy groups running ads for and against Supreme Court nominee John Roberts are wasting their money, the Senate Judiciary Committee's top Democrat says..... "These outside lobbying group, whether on the right or the left, have become, for me anyway, basically irrelevant," Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy (news, bio, voting record) said. "They will probably be offended by that and I am not saying they shouldn't do what they do. I just wish they didn't." Linda Greenhouse, in the New York Times, reports that some who are ordinarily friendly to NARAL's cause are uneasy about the ad the organization is running attempting to associate Roberts with abortion clinic violence. Within the larger liberal coalition of which Naral is a part, there was considerable uneasiness about the advertisement, although...
By Fred Barbash | August 11, 2005; 02:31 AM ET | Email a Comment
Press Release: NAM
The National Association of Manufacturers endorses Roberts. See press release here....
By Fred Barbash | August 10, 2005; 01:26 PM ET | Email a Comment
NARAL Ad Controversy
For a straightforward analysis of the Bray case referenced in the NARAL ad, see the Supreme Court Nomination Blog article by Kevin Russell. Also new today: "NARAL Falsely Accuses Supreme Court Nominee Roberts" says the Annenberg Political Fact Check at the University of Pennsylvania. Fact Check says: The ad is false. And the ad misleads when it says Roberts supported a clinic bomber. It is true that Roberts sided with the bomber and many other defendants in a civil case, but the case didn't deal with bombing at all. Roberts argued that abortion clinics who brought the suit had no right use an 1871 federal anti-discrimination statute against anti-abortion protesters who tried to blockade clinics. Eventually a 6-3 majority of the Supreme Court agreed, too. Roberts argued that blockades were already illegal under state law. The images used in the ad are especially misleading. The pictures are of a...
By Fred Barbash | August 10, 2005; 06:58 AM ET | Comments (2)
AP Adwatch: Progress for America
Associated Press adwatch regarding Progress for America's ad responding to NARAL ad: Details of a television ad released Tuesday by the conservative interest group Progress for America supporting President Bush's Supreme Court nominee, John G. Roberts: TITLE: "How Low?'' LENGTH: 30 seconds. AIRING: Cable channels Fox, CNN. Broadcast networks CBS, NBC and ABC in Rhode Island and Maine. SCRIPT: Announcer: "When John Roberts was nominated for the Supreme Court, he was met with wide praise from Democrats and Republicans. But with little to attack in Roberts' superb record, liberals are taking the low road that newspapers are calling a 'witch hunt.' A far left Democratic group is making a desperate and false attack, recklessly distorting Judge Roberts' record. But the Senate unanimously approved Judge Roberts after a thorough review of his record just two years ago. How low can these frustrated liberals sink?''...
By Fred Barbash | August 9, 2005; 06:54 PM ET | Comments (2)
Press Release: Feminist Majority Foundation
The following press release comes from the Feminist Majority Foundation regarding Bray case: Leading women's groups, including the Feminist Majority, held a press conference at the US Capitol today on John Roberts' role in a clinic violence case in the early 1990s, when Roberts was deputy solicitor general under the first Bush Administration....
By Fred Barbash | August 9, 2005; 04:36 PM ET | Comments (5)
Right-wing views, right-wing views, right-wing views.
On the subject of letters-to-the-editor, see moveon.org: The White House is banking on a strategy of hiding Roberts' right-wing views and focusing on his non-confrontational personality. And then see: The Boca-Raton News: The White House is banking on a strategy of hiding Roberts' right-wing views and focusing on his non-confrontational personality. Billy Van Ee, North Palm Beach And the Argus Leader: The White House is banking on a strategy of hiding Roberts' right-wing views and focusing on his non-confrontational personality.....Steven D. Burge, Eagle Butte And the Tri-Valley Herald: The White House is banking on a strategy of hiding Roberts' right-wing views and focusing on his non-confrontational personality......Paula Aiello, San Ramon And the Valencia County News Bulletin: The White House is banking on a strategy of hiding Roberts' right-wing views and focusing on his non-confrontational personality.....Cathy Neumann And here. See also previous post: a keen mind, a keen mind, a keen...
By Fred Barbash | August 9, 2005; 10:13 AM ET | Comments (4)
Press Release: ACLJ
The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) issues press release headlined: "ACLJ: Naral Ad on John Roberts Outrageous - Ad Distorts Truth about Supreme Court Case"...
By Fred Barbash | August 8, 2005; 03:53 PM ET | Email a Comment
Press Release and Ad: NARAL Pro Choice
NARAL Pro-Choice America "Unveils Television Ad Focusing on John Roberts Record of Siding with Violent Anti-Choice Fringe Groups"...
By Fred Barbash | August 8, 2005; 03:45 PM ET | Email a Comment
Press Release: Progress for America
Progress for America (PFA) "today announced the formation of 20 state ad hoc coalitions, led by over 100 state chairs and steering committee members, in support of the nomination of Judge John Roberts to the U.S. Supreme Court. PFA also announced the launch of 20 individualized state websites along with a $60,000 promotional banner ad buy on top state political and news websites."...
By Fred Barbash | August 8, 2005; 03:41 PM ET | Email a Comment
Moveon.org
Moveon.org has launched a petition drive against Roberts: In nominating John Roberts, the president has chosen a right wing corporate lawyer and ideologue for the nation's highest court instead of a judge who would protect the rights of the American people. Working for mining companies, Roberts opposed clean air rules and worked to help coal companies strip-mine mountaintops. He worked with Ken Starr (yes, that Ken Starr), and tried to keep Congress from defending the Voting Rights Act. He wrote that Roe v. Wade should be "overruled," and as a lawyer argued (and won) the case that stopped some doctors from even discussing abortion...
By Fred Barbash | July 22, 2005; 09:23 AM ET | Comments (12)
