Supreme Court Vacancy and YOU - Share Your Ideas
As I'm sure you all know by now, Supreme Court Justice David Souter announced his retirement last Friday. Like you, we know the important role that the Supreme Court plays in the everyday lives of Americans. The halls of NARAL Pro-Choice America are still buzzing with staff preparing for the nomination process. For those of us that were here during the Bush-era Supreme Court nominations, the difference in tone is striking.
But anti-choice senators are already railing against President Obama's desire to select a nominee who is empathetic with the American people, claiming that empathy is simply a code word for a so-called "activist judge." Sen. Orrin Hatch went so far as to state that the White House will be sure to pick a "pro-abortion justice." Yes, folks, the battle begins today.
So, step one: Let's show President Obama that Americans want a justice who will uphold the American values of freedom and privacy set forth in the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. Send him an urgent message today.
The next step, of course, is to make sure that we secure the 60 votes in the Senate needed to override a possible filibuster. And even as the Senate's Democratic majority grows on what seems like a daily basis, the fact remains that we only have 40 fully pro-choice senators. And when Al Franken is finally seated - will there ever be a declared winner in the Franken/Coleman Minnesota senate race? - that still puts us at only 41 fully pro-choice senators out of 100. Couple that with the shameless smear campaign we've seen hurled at President Obama's highly qualified nominees - including Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Prof. Dawn Johnsen, and Judge David Hamilton - and we know we've got a long road ahead of us.
And I'll be blunt. I'm worried. I'm worried that pro-choice Americans might not understand what a big deal this is... that we can't sit back and assume everything will work out simply because there's a pro-choice president in the White House. That was the first step - and it was an important first step - but there is much work to do to ensure that President Obama nominates a justice who will protect our freedom and privacy.
So, to that end, we're also collecting ideas, thoughts, and comments here on our blog and also on our Facebook page, so if you'd rather express yourself over there, go right ahead. We just want to hear from you, our activists, to make sure we're doing everything we can to make sure the next Supreme Court justice upholds the American values of freedom and privacy.
Please take a moment to tell us what you're feeling and thinking, and how we can help YOU mobilize your friends. Just leave 'em in the comment section below so we can collect all of your great ideas.
Thanks all.
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Of course a pro-choice judge is needed.
The anti-choice senators continue to inhabit a
witchcraft mentality and have virtually no
concern for the welfare of the nation in general.
Hi,
First time visitor to this blog. I received the email to contact President Obama and urge protection for Roe.
You invited us to share thoughts. Here are my thoughts:
YES! We need to protect a woman's right to choose. But I'm not sure Obama cares anymore. As a Pro Choicer myself, I am afraid that President Obama is pandering to the Right. He seems so worried about "reaching across the aisle," and being pals with the Republicans that I am afraid he will nominate someone who appeals to the far Right just to prove a point. It seems to me that lately he is concerning himself more and more with pleasing the Right and being their friend just to "prove" he can "work with everyone."
I think we need to step up the efforts to not only portect a woman's right to choose but also to encourage President Obama to start work on his agenda. Enough of this trying to work with the Party of NO. They have made it clear that they don't want to play. So let them sulk! We have to voice any dissatisfaction with a possible Justice choice who may want to take away a woman's right to choose. There cannot be a middle ground on something as vital as this- and THAT is the message our President needs to hear. And we need to make it clear to the President that HE NEEDS to make it clear to the Republicans if they don't want to help get things done, then things will get done without them.
Enough with the kumbaya already. The far Right extremists are in the minority for a reason- let Obama know he needs to step up and be President. He cannot sell women short on this. I'm so afraid he'll barter the issue- for healthcare or more bank bailout money or something... I'm afraid that he'll give in to the Right just to be their friend. America doesn't need a "best friend," We need a President...a strong President... a President who WILL protect a woman's right to choose, and not someone who simply wants to be pals with the everyone on the other Team. Yes we're one team- one America, but right now Obama is not acting like he cares about those who elected him into office. We NEED to remind him that this pandering and catering to the GOP is not healthy. We did not elect a Pal. We elected a President.
Those are my thoughts.
I firmly support the President's decision to hire to the U.S.Supreme Court a competent and compassion judge that will support a woman's right to choose if she has to! We don't want a catastrophe on our hands now do we?
I have full confidence in President Obama on his choice on the bench and our President is quite smart so give the young man some credit!
Please feel free to passs along my message of support to choose a Democrat that cares and has common sense.
Here's my comment: Choose a Democrat that will care about womens' rights!
Thanks for your efforts and for making sending the message so easy online. That I CAN do!
Nancy
I am 80 years of age and this does not affect me.I am thinking of the women to come. A woman bears the discomfort for 9 months and then has the pain of child birth. They should have a choice what to do if they become pregant. The men should keep their mouth shut and from what I see on T.V. it is mostly men that holler the loudest for pro-life and also women too old to have a baby. They should find another cause to keep them busy/
Mr President,
We need the Roe vs Wade to stay in force for our daughters and grandchildren it's very impt. to keep this active for future generations to have a choice, and our freedom of choice, and for our health and well being, for all women who get pregnant. We need to have choices to remain open to us . After all it's our body's.
Thank you
K. Sutker