7.04.2005
Senators Clash on Questioning a Court Nominee (NYTimes.com)
By CARL HULSE and ADAM NAGOURNEY
Published: July 4, 2005
WASHINGTON, July 3 - With a White House nomination of a new Supreme Court justice at least a week away, members of the Senate began sharpening their differences on Sunday as lawmakers battled over the proper line of questioning at confirmation hearings and the right of Democrats to filibuster a nominee they deem unacceptable.
As senators sparred in interviews, op-ed columns and television appearances, the Bush administration sought to keep its deliberations over a potential successor to Justice Sandra Day O'Connor out of public view. White House officials were privately encouraging lawmakers not to get drawn into speculation over candidates' names but to concentrate on calling for quick and fair consideration of whomever President Bush nominates. [Page A11.]
Conservative groups, meanwhile, continued to press their opposition to one frequently mentioned presidential favorite, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales.
Democrats called for a deliberate review of any nominee and pledged to press the eventual candidate on issues including abortion and same-sex marriage, while Republicans declared that such specific inquiries were out of line.
"All questions are legitimate," Senator Charles E. Schumer of New York, a Democratic member of the Judiciary Committee, said in an interview. "What is your view on Roe v. Wade? What is your view on gay marriage? They are going to try to get away with the idea that we're not going to know their views. But that's not going to work this time."
(More ... Senators Clash on Questioning a Court Nominee - New York Times) ¶ 22:34
Published: July 4, 2005
WASHINGTON, July 3 - With a White House nomination of a new Supreme Court justice at least a week away, members of the Senate began sharpening their differences on Sunday as lawmakers battled over the proper line of questioning at confirmation hearings and the right of Democrats to filibuster a nominee they deem unacceptable.
As senators sparred in interviews, op-ed columns and television appearances, the Bush administration sought to keep its deliberations over a potential successor to Justice Sandra Day O'Connor out of public view. White House officials were privately encouraging lawmakers not to get drawn into speculation over candidates' names but to concentrate on calling for quick and fair consideration of whomever President Bush nominates. [Page A11.]
Conservative groups, meanwhile, continued to press their opposition to one frequently mentioned presidential favorite, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales.
Democrats called for a deliberate review of any nominee and pledged to press the eventual candidate on issues including abortion and same-sex marriage, while Republicans declared that such specific inquiries were out of line.
"All questions are legitimate," Senator Charles E. Schumer of New York, a Democratic member of the Judiciary Committee, said in an interview. "What is your view on Roe v. Wade? What is your view on gay marriage? They are going to try to get away with the idea that we're not going to know their views. But that's not going to work this time."
(More ... Senators Clash on Questioning a Court Nominee - New York Times) ¶ 22:34
