Pelosi's statement on the Alito nomination:

[deadparrot]

Monday, October 31, 2005

Contact: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement this morning in response to President Bush’s nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to the United States Supreme Court:

“The nomination to succeed Justice O’Connor is extremely critical for the balance of the Supreme Court and for our Constitutional rights. The American people expect a nominee who shares Justice O’Connor’s commitment to our Constitution, our civil liberties and our individual rights, and a nominee who is in the mainstream of America.

“Last week after Harriet Miers withdrew her nomination, I asked the President: Who was in charge? Today, the President answered: the radical conservative right is in charge of his Administration. Instead of seeking to unify the country with a nominee who would command wide consensus, the President again chose to submit to the dictates of the radical right. The President’s nomination of Judge Alito reflects weakness – the President is unable or unwilling to withstand pressure by an extreme element in our country, rather than acting as a leader of all the people.

“The Supreme Court must not be used as a tool by extremists to fulfill an ideological agenda and to undermine our individual rights. Under our Constitution, the Senate has an independent role in deciding whether to confirm a nominee to the Supreme Court. That responsibility is especially compelling with this nominee, whose rulings on the right to privacy, including a woman's right to choose; civil rights; and basic labor protections are troubling and far removed from the mainstream. The Senate must have full, comprehensive hearings and carefully scrutinize Judge Alito’s record.

“I will work with Leader Reid and other Senators to ensure that the views of the House Democratic Caucus are known to the Senate during its review of the nomination.”

http://www.house.gov/pelosi/press/releases/Oct05/alito.html

[FloridaPat]

1. And the statement from the Democratic senators is where?

[Blue_In_AK]

2. Kerry's and Kennedy's statements were posted earlier this

morning. "Weakness" figured prominently in their statements, as well. I believe there was a comment from Reid, too.

[deadparrot]

3. here...

http://democrats.senate.gov/~dpc/press/05/2005A31622.html

[babylonsister]

4. Kerry's here:

http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Kerry_on_Alito_Bushs_sagg...

Every American should be deeply concerned that the far right wing which prevented Harriet Miers from even receiving a Senate hearing is celebrating Judge Alito’s nomination and urging the Senate to rubber stamp the swing vote on our rights and liberties. Has the right wing now forced a weakened President to nominate a divisive justice in the mold of Antonin Scalia? With civil rights, privacy rights, and mainstream American values hanging in the balance, the President’s sagging political position in his own party is no excuse to reopen wounds in America which a President should seek to repair.

“In nominating a successor to Justice O’Connor, President Bush had the power to unite the country by nominating a highly qualified woman or minority who would put the Constitution first and reflect the diversity of our country. Instead, the record must be studied, the documents must be made available, and the questions must be answered conclusively, to determine whether the president has chosen to divide the country with a nominee outside the ideological mainstream.”

[Rainscents]

7. Reid made statements and so did Dean!!! All on same page!

[babylonsister]

5. Kennedy's in here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2201561

[Rainscents]

6. Great statement! Looks like, DEMS are all in line with same talking points

[longship]

8. Dems are getting the ducks in line.

It's going to get very, very interesting.

[LiberalEZ]

9. I LOVE PELOSI!

I love her... but...

"I hate them SO much!"