Bush to announce Supreme Court nominee tonight — Page 2

Yep, JRB. Definitely getting a "hates fags" vibe from that.

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Here's the National Gay and Lesbian Task force statement:

July 19, 2005

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force calls President Bush's selection of Judge John Roberts Jr. as his Supreme Court nominee a reason for 'great pause'

WASHINGTON, July 19 — President Bush tonight selected U.S. Court of Appeals Judge John Roberts Jr. to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on the nation's highest court.

Statement by Matt Foreman, Executive Director
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

"President Bush's announcement that he is nominating U.S. Court of Appeals Judge John Roberts to the Supreme Court of the United States gives us great pause, particularly in light of Roberts' role in the Counsel's office of President Reagan and the Solicitor General's office of President George H.W. Bush.

"In exercising its constitutional 'advise and consent' function, the Senate must take the time necessary to thoroughly review and evaluate Roberts' commitment to individual rights and equal justice under the law, including his record and thinking about civil rights, the right to privacy and the reach of Congressional power under the Constitution.

"We especially call upon our allies in the Senate to determine
whether Judge Roberts subscribes to the holdings of Romer v. Evans and Lawrence v. Texas, among other cases, and will affirm that the civil rights and privacy rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans are protected by the Constitution.

"And only if Judge Roberts meets these critical standards of
qualification, judicial philosophy, fairness, independence and a
dedication to protecting the rights of all under the Constitution, should the Senate vote to confirm his nomination to the court."

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Founded in 1973, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Foundation (the Task Force) was the first national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights and advocacy organization and remains the movement's leading voice for freedom, justice and equality. We work to build the grassroots political strength of our community by training state and local activists and leaders, working to strengthen the infrastructure of state and local allies, and organizing broad-based campaigns to build public support for complete equality for LGBT people. Our Policy Institute, the community's premier think tank, provides research and policy analysis to support the struggle for complete equality. As part of a broader social justice movement, we work to create a world that respects and makes visible the diversity of human expression and identity where all people may fully participate in society. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., we also have offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Cambridge, Mass., and Miami. The Task Force is a 501(c)(3) corporation incorporated in Washington, D.C. Contributions to the Task Force are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

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"The president is a man of his word," said Tony Perkins, the president of the Family Research Council, a conservative Christian group. "He promised to nominate someone along the lines of a Scalia or a Thomas, and that is exactly what he has done."

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From the Economist:

" At the Senate confirmation hearing on his appointment to his current job, Mr Roberts said he would uphold Roe v Wade. But as a Supreme Court justice, he would have the power, with his colleagues, to overturn it.

However, given the current balance of the court, at least one more anti-abortion judge would be needed to overturn Roe. So, the mother of all battles can be expected if one of the pro-Roe justices, such as John Paul Stevens, who is 85, steps down during Mr Bush’s term of office."



Full Article

Updated On: 7/20/05 at 08:33 AM