Murray to support Roberts; Cantwell to oppose
You would have expected it to be the other way around:
A vote of hope? Hope for what? There's no hope as long as Bush is in the White House and Congress is led by Republicans like Tom Delay and Bill Frist.
"Even-handed"? That's being very, very optimistic towards someone who acted as if his confirmation hearing was just a rubber stamping process.
We expected better than this. Patty Murray has really disappointed us.
Roberts is a dodger. He would hardly answer any questions. We don't know where he stands. Democrats should oppose his confirmation.
We applaud Maria Cantwell for her decision to oppose John Roberts' confirmation - that is outstanding. Thank you for standing up to the Bush administration and refusing to support a nominee who won't tell us where he stands on important judicial issues.
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said Wednesday she will vote for Chief Justice-nominee John Roberts, describing her vote as one of hope over fear.We're disappointed by Murray's decision and even more disappointed by her statement.
"My vote tonight is a vote of hope — hope that despite our differences we can unite around the common good," Murray said in a speech on the Senate floor.
Her vote also represents "hope that equal justice under the law means something powerful to every American, regardless of background or political situation, and hope that John Roberts responds to the needs of this nation to have a Supreme Court that honors our past and helps secure the rights and liberties of every American into the future," Murray said.
Murray called Roberts honest, ethical, qualified and fair, and said, "I believe he will be even handed in deciding cases."
The announcement came a day after Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., announced her opposition to Roberts. Cantwell said Roberts failed to address her concerns about privacy and abortion rights, despite repeated questions.
Roberts, a 50-year-old federal Appeals Court judge, is expected to win easy confirmation from the Senate on Thursday. More than 70 senators — including all 55 Republicans — have said they will vote in favor of the nomination.
A vote of hope? Hope for what? There's no hope as long as Bush is in the White House and Congress is led by Republicans like Tom Delay and Bill Frist.
"Even-handed"? That's being very, very optimistic towards someone who acted as if his confirmation hearing was just a rubber stamping process.
We expected better than this. Patty Murray has really disappointed us.
Roberts is a dodger. He would hardly answer any questions. We don't know where he stands. Democrats should oppose his confirmation.
We applaud Maria Cantwell for her decision to oppose John Roberts' confirmation - that is outstanding. Thank you for standing up to the Bush administration and refusing to support a nominee who won't tell us where he stands on important judicial issues.
