From Senator Clinton’s press release:
I have an obligation to my constituents to make sure that I cast my vote for Chief Justice of the United States for someone I am convinced will be steadfast in protecting fundamental women’s rights, civil rights, privacy rights, and who will respect the appropriate separation of powers among the three branches. After the Judiciary Hearings, I believe the record on these matters has been left unclear. That uncertainly means as a matter of conscience, I cannot vote to confirm despite Judge Roberts’s long history of public service.
. . . [B]ecause I think [Roberts] is far more likely to vote the views he expressed in his legal writings, I cannot give my consent to his confirmation and will, therefore, vote against his confirmation. My desire to maintain the already fragile Supreme Court majority for civil rights, voting rights and women’s rights outweigh the respect I have for Judge Roberts’s intellect, character, and legal skills.
Am I right in reading this as an indication that Senator Clinton will vote against all Republican Supreme Court nominees? After all, the confirmation hearings for David Souter did not establish the convincing case that Senator Clinton seems to be demanding. For that matter, neither did the hearings for John Paul Stevens. Or Sandra Day O’Connor. Or Anthony Kennedy. Or Harry Blackmun. I assume that this means Senator Clinton would have voted against all of them, as well? Or is there a special rule for the Chief slot or fragile majorities?
Comments are closed.