WASHINGTON, Sept. 12 – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network – Progress for America Inc. (PFA) president Brian McCabe today pointed to contradictory statements by Senator Ted Kennedy on the issue of whether Supreme Court nominees should be required to answer questions that force them to prejudge cases.
“Ted Kennedy’s contradictory statements are at best a case of amnesia and
at worst the ultimate political double standard,” said Brian McCabe, president
of PFA. “When Senators begin questioning tomorrow, Judge Roberts should be
held to the same fair standard as past Democrat nominees, including Thurgood
Marshall, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer.”
KENNEDY NOW (TO JOHN ROBERTS – 2005):
“Judges are appointed by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,
and it is our duty to ask questions on great issues that matter to the
American people and speak for them. Judge Roberts, I hope you will respond
fully and candidly to such questions, not just to earn our approval, but to
prove to the American people that you have earned the right to a lifetime
appointment to the highest court in the land.”
KENNEDY THEN (TO THURGOOD MARSHALL – 1967):
“We have to respect that any nominee to the Supreme Court would have to
defer any comments on any matters which are either before the court or very
likely to appear before the court.”
