GOP Must Get Revenge in High Court Hearings

Democrats changed the rules by opposing Roberts, Alito

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted May 20, 2009 8:10 AM CDT

(Newser) – When Democrats waged an ideological war on the Supreme Court nominations of conservatives John Roberts and Samuel Alito, they set a dangerous precedent that should boomerang on whoever President Obama selects, says the Bush official in charge of those confirmations. Previously, the Senate graciously ushered through anyone with sufficient intellect, temperament, and experience, writes Ed Gillespie in the Washington Post, but Senate Republicans are this time all but obligated to oppose a liberal nominee.

Forty-one of 44 Senate Republicans voted for Ruth Bader Ginsburg and 33 of 42 for Stephen Breyer. By contrast a whopping 40 of 44 Democrats voted against Alito. Barack Obama was among them, urging his colleagues to consider a nominee’s “philosophy, ideology and record.” Now, Republicans must apply the same standard to Obama’s nominees, Gillespie writes, lest the court slide forever leftward.

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (2)]

In this Sept. 21, 2005 file photo, then-Supreme Court Chief Justice nominee John Roberts, left, meets with then-Sen. Barack Obama, in Obama's office on Capitol Hill. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, FILE)

In this April 9, 2008 file photo Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito Jr. speaks at John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jason Miller, FILE)

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There are some who believe that the Senate should only examine whether the Justice is intellectually capable and an all-around good guy. I disagree with this view. - Barack Obama, explaining his vote against Samuel Alito

The mere fact that I might have selected a different nominee will not lead me to oppose the President's nominee. - Orrin Hatch, explaining his vote for
Ruth Bader Ginsburg

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GOP Must Get Revenge in High Court Hearings