Can Anyone Confirm: Roberts Lied about his role in the Federalist Society

[NAO]

I saw somewhere that Roberts had been asked about the Federalist Society and claimed that he had never been involved.

Yet the records for the Federalist Society show that he was in a leadership position in the late 1990s.

Is this a fact? Is it part of public record? If so, it would be a very powerful way to attack Roberts and discredit him. He needs to be discredited on some basis OTHER than Roe.

[AtomicKitten]

1. Don't Know Nothing About Birthing No Babies

He said he doesn't remember.

[SmokingJacket]

3. If he doesn't remember, he must have Alzheimers or

some other severe memory problem. Maybe he should be tested for that.

Sheesh, I remember the names of sandwiches I used to order for lunch in 1997.

[babylonsister]

6. Big fat DU welcome, AtomicKitten! nt

[merh]

2. Discussion and source here.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4184055

[Robbien]

4. He never denied it, the WH did

Per Think Progress

For the past month, multiple news organizations have been reporting that Supreme Court nominee John Roberts was a member of the Federalist Society, a conservative legal organization. The White House denied the reports last week, and media outlets, including the AP and the Washington Post, were forced to issue retractions.

Now the Washington Post reports that, indeed, Roberts was a member of the Federalist Society according to a published copy of a organization’s 1997-1998 leadership directory. Not only was he a member, but according to the document, he was a member of the steering committee of the organization’s Washington chapter. The White House’s initial response was that Roberts “has no recollection of being a member of the Federalist Society, or its steering committee.” And today, when Roberts was directly “asked by a reporter about the discrepancy,” the nominee “smiled but didn’t reply.” So something like this…

Unfortunately, Roberts’ non-response wasn’t nearly as bad as the White House’s admission that they would have lied about his membership anyway:

Last Wednesday, the day after Bush announced Roberts’s nomination, the officials working on the nomination asked the White House press office to call each news organization that had reported Roberts’s membership to tell them that he did not recall being a member. Asked yesterday if the White House would have done so knowing about the leadership directory, Perino said “Yes.”

http://thinkprogress.org/2005/07/25/roberts-sudden-and-convenient-amnesia/

[merh]

5. But you have to wonder if he listed it on his application -

Yes, there are forms these folks have to fill out when being considered for the post. They have to be interviewed by the FBI, they have to claim their memberships in all sorts of organizations, they have to list their net worth and gifts they have received, et cetera.

Did he not list the Federalist in the information he completed when being considered for the post? If he did not list it, is that a lie of omission or filing of false documents?

:shrug:

[Robbien]

7. What are the odds the WH will let us see those documents

Slim and none. And slim has left the building.

[merh]

8. Oh, I know, they don't believe in Freedom of Information requests

or full disclosure of public information. But is it okay if I just hope and pray that a congress critter's staffer tries to get a hold of the documents or that someone will leak it?

I hope, I hope, I hope :freak:

[ProudDad]

9. "Federalist" society lier's club

http://www.fed-soc.org/

I noticed on their main page the're prepared to supply right-wing puppets to testify "In the event of a Supreme Court vacancy these issues and others will be much discussed. We believe the experts can help contribute to and enlighten the public discussion. They will be available on short notice."

Slimeballs for hire...

[hayu_lol]

10. Roberts is a stealth member...deniability is everything...

Charles Lane, WP Staff Writer, Mon 7-25-05

"Supreme Court Nominee John G. Roberts Jr. has said he has no memory of belonging to the Federalist Society, but his name appears in the influential conservative legal organization's 1997-1998 leadership directory."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/24/AB2005072401201.html

One source claimed that the non-payment of dues($50)or membership fee was not set in concrete...that many leaders of the FS did not formally pay the fees...but donated their effort, money, and time to the organization. Gives a nominee like Roberts the opportunity to deny being a member(the definition of 'is' is).

[PatsFan2004]

11. I have read that Roberts has spoken at meetings of the

Federalist Society, but as mentioned before, only the WH has denied his membership. His speaking at the meetings at least shows he supports their principles. Apparently, the Society was formed because some law students felt that their professors were not giving much attention to right wing thought, so they formed the Society to debate the issues including conservatives.

[McCamy Taylor]

12. They have something to hide. Very suspicious. Stealth Scalia.