Blog for Choice: Must-read on Alito

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December 12, 2005

Must-read on Alito

This LA Times column brings up some interesting points about Alito’s stance on abortion and what it means for the future.

Author Ronald Brownstein points out that the recent disclosures from Alito’s memos on Roe say a lot about the future of Supreme Court nominees:

If this ammunition allows opponents to stop Alito — either by a majority vote or a filibuster — it will surely push future presidents back toward stealth nominees with limited public records. But if opponents can't generate full-scale resistance to Alito — at a time when nearly two-thirds of Americans tell pollsters they don't want Roe overturned — Bush and his successors may conclude they can risk more ideologically aggressive nominees, so long as the public considers them qualified.

Scary stuff. Personally, stealth nominees freak me out more than an out-of-the-closet anti-choicer like Alito.

Brownstein also squashes a common argument being pushed by Alito’s supporters concerning the memos:

One is the Roberts defense: Alito was only following his client's directions. That seems less persuasive than in Roberts' case. In the Justice Department memo, Alito wasn't advocating for his client; he was advocating an anti-Roe strategy to his client. And in the job application he clearly expresses personal pride about his work on antiabortion cases.

Read the whole piece; let me know what you think.

Posted by Jessica at December 12, 2005 3:18 PM

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Comments

So Alito is anti-choice. What a revelation! Not! I call Bush "Dumbya" because that is what he is. DUMB! Public opinion will not sway his positions because he just follows the recommendations of his far right backers, and advisors As I said before, he dances to the strings his "handlers" have attached to his limpid limbs. If not Alito, then it is the next candidate in the bozo costume awaiting their chance to silence the constituancy that opposes their repressive Christain Taliban beliefs. It is up to the few "real" democrats to oppose them in the federal government, but it is up to us to start local grass roots programs in our respective states to put policies in place in the advent of roe v. wade being overturned. That is where the real battle will be held in the future. I live in Illinois, and no one can expect to be elected into office, republican, or democrat, if they oppose the choice of the people. I would suggest we work at that level in as many states{Kansas, excluded,lost cause} as possible. Local jurists will decide the correct policies for the future.

Posted by: robert at December 13, 2005 4:12 AM

i just hope he does not get voted into the boys club. we don't want or need him now.

Posted by: fangy at December 19, 2005 7:17 PM