Potentially Divisive Second-Choice Nominee

11/01/2005

St. Paul – In nominating Judge Samuel Alito to replace Justice Sandra Day O’Connor on the U.S. Supreme Court, President George W. Bush has rewarded the destructive behavior of the extreme right wing of the Republican Party that blocked the nomination of Harriet Miers.  Instead of uniting the country behind a consensus nominee, the President has picked a fight.

“The stakes could not be higher,” state DFL chair Brian Melendez said.  “Justice O’Connor has been the deciding vote in several significant cases on a narrowly divided Court.  The White House and Judge Alito have a responsibility to show that he shares Justice O’Connor’s recognition of the individual rights and freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution.”

Judge Alito has the burden to forthrightly answer questions and provide a clear and full representation of his constitutional philosophy.  The appropriate time and consideration must be given to this nomination.

“Justice O’Connor has graciously agreed to serve until her replacement is confirmed,” Melendez said.  “This gives the Senate time to fully consider Judge Alito’s nomination and not have the process hijacked, as it was in the case of Harriet Miers, by extremists in the Republican Party.  The process is far too important to be rushed or held to an arbitrary deadline.”

Melendez added, “It is curious that those who wish to pack the Court with conservative judicial activists are much more enthusiastic about President Bush’s second-choice nominee than they were about his first.  The President’s choice to divide the country raises serious questions.  Americans deserve serious and thoughtful answers.”