7.02.2005
Democrats and Republicans React to O'Connor's Resignation (NYTimes.com)
By DAVID STOUT
Published: July 1, 2005
WASHINGTON, July 1 - Senators from both parties heaped praise on retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor today, and Democrats warned President Bush not to try to replace her with someone whose views they consider extreme. Republicans, meanwhile, signaled that they were girding for a fight.
"Justice O'Connor has been a voice of reason and moderation on the court," said Senator Harry Reid, Democrat of Nevada, the minority leader. "It is vital that she be replaced by someone like her, someone who embodies the fundamental American values of freedom, equality and fairness."
Mr. Reid said the president should respect the Senate's "advice and consent" role spelled out in the Constitution and nominate "a highly qualified candidate whose views are within the broad constitutional mainstream and who will make all Americans proud."
Senator Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York and a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said Justice O'Connor's departure "will leave a tremendous void in the highest court of the land." The senator urged President Bush to confer with leaders of both parties before announcing a nominee. "We should replace Sandra Day O'Connor with a consensus candidate, not an ideologue," Mr. Schumer said.
(More ... Democrats and Republicans React to O'Connor's Resignation - New York Times) ¶ 12:40
Published: July 1, 2005
WASHINGTON, July 1 - Senators from both parties heaped praise on retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor today, and Democrats warned President Bush not to try to replace her with someone whose views they consider extreme. Republicans, meanwhile, signaled that they were girding for a fight.
"Justice O'Connor has been a voice of reason and moderation on the court," said Senator Harry Reid, Democrat of Nevada, the minority leader. "It is vital that she be replaced by someone like her, someone who embodies the fundamental American values of freedom, equality and fairness."
Mr. Reid said the president should respect the Senate's "advice and consent" role spelled out in the Constitution and nominate "a highly qualified candidate whose views are within the broad constitutional mainstream and who will make all Americans proud."
Senator Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York and a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said Justice O'Connor's departure "will leave a tremendous void in the highest court of the land." The senator urged President Bush to confer with leaders of both parties before announcing a nominee. "We should replace Sandra Day O'Connor with a consensus candidate, not an ideologue," Mr. Schumer said.
(More ... Democrats and Republicans React to O'Connor's Resignation - New York Times) ¶ 12:40
