DPO Statement on President Bush’s Nomination of John G. Roberts

PORTLAND—Democratic Party of Oregon Chairman Jim Edmunson released the following statement on President Bush’s nomination of John G. Roberts to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor:

“Justice O’Connor has been an inspirational figure to Americans as the first female Justice to serve on the Supreme Court. Oregon Democrats look forward to a careful and thorough examination of Judge Roberts’ record.”

“The next Supreme Court Justice will make decisions affecting the lives of all Americans, including many critical decisions for Oregon. There is a process in place to evaluate this nominee’s credentials and qualifications, and we must respect and conduct that process deliberatively.”

“While we know very little about John G. Roberts beyond some of his legal credentials, his sharp partisan credentials deserve scrutiny. This lifetime appointment will affect the Supreme Court and the rights of Oregonians for generations to come.”

“In just one example, the next session of the Supreme Court will hear Gonalez v. Oregon, which will be the final say on John Ashcroft’s repeated attempts to throw millions of Oregonians’ ballots in the trash by overturning our twice-approved Death With Dignity Act.”

“Given the full spectrum of qualified nominees President Bush had to choose from, we find it troubling he abandoned the centrist model represented by Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court, with someone many right-wing Republicans are calling their ‘dream candidate.’”