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Reaction to the Nomination of John
Roberts for the Supreme Court
For Immediate Release - July 19, 2005

"The President's nomination of Judge John Roberts, Jr. deserves a full, fair and impartial hearing before the United States Senate. Until Judge Roberts' credentials are seen in the full light of day, it would be premature to make a judgment on his qualifications.

"But, I do have serious concerns about the nomination, because as a deputy solicitor general, Mr. Roberts signed a brief which said, 'we continue to believe that Roe (Roe v Wade) was wrongly decided and should be overruled.' This would appear to undermine one of the most important decisions protecting women's rights in America.

"In addition, as an attorney, Mr. Roberts argued in support of weakening free speech and diluting the separation of church and state. However, Mr. Roberts deserves the opportunity to explain his positions and how he can serve impartially on behalf of all Americans.

"Every indication is that the President rushed ahead his timetable to announce a nominee to the Supreme Court as a way to divert attention away from questions swirling about the conduct of Karl Rove, the deputy chief of staff.

"The case the President would like dismissed- Rove v credibility- will not be diverted by tonight's announcement because the American people want what is sworn in every court of law- the whole truth."