Cross Posted at Media In Trouble
Thanks to Capitol Buzz pointing out that Chafee is planning on voting for Roberts. Which is contradictory to what he has said in the past. And since NARAL supported him in his primary solely because he is pro-choice, Capitol Buzz is perhaps right to call for their about-face.
His source was the Boston Globe (or Providence Journal), for those of you like me searched all over the entire blog for a link to the story.
Now the thing that should bother everyone most is why a blogger and not the press. This is a legitimate question to watch a slimy republican like Chafee squirm in front of a microphone.
All the reporters would have to ask is the following:
But Senator Chafee, on two occasions you save said that your litmus test for a judge is wether or not they uphold Roe v. Wade. Does this mean you are satisfied with Judge Robert’s answers on the topic?
OK OK. Perhaps they just weren’t really aware of his stance being Krazy-glued to abortion.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the 2nd, 3rd, and 8th graphs (ironically, the 4 places the word abortion turns up):
Chafee told the Providence Journal that he will vote for Roberts even though he has been concerned that Roberts would try to restrict, or get rid of, legal abortion.
The senator explained his decision by noting that Roberts would replace another opponent of abortion, the late Chief Justice William Rehnquist. Given that, Roberts’ addition to the court should not disturb the narrow majority that favors legal abortion, Chafee said.
…
Chafee said his decision would have been tougher if Roberts was replacing retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. O’Connor has been a swing vote in abortion and other privacy-related cases.
So OK perhaps he sort of answered the question above. But these graphs beg yet another question:
Senator Chafee. Say Elmer Fudd and Wile E. Coyote sat on the Supreme Court and recently left their seats vacant. Given the conventional wisdom that Wile E. is the real gun nut, whose seat should Yosemite Sam replace, Justice Fudd or Justice Coyote?
What kind of answer is this? What kind of answer is it’s a good thing the Chief will be anti-abortion since he chooses the cases on the docket of the court isn’t it a bit MORE important that he be the swing vote on abortion? Either way even that point is mute. He said, any judge. He didn’t make distinctions back then that he would only vote for a pro-Roe judge depending on whose seat that judge was filling?
Yo Globe, or perhaps constituents of Lincoln Chafee, find out:
His contact info is here:
United States Senate
141A Russell
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-2921
170 Westminster Street
Suite 1100
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 453-5294
320 Thames Street
Room 272
Newport, RI 02840
(401) 845-0700
Also webform here.
Those who have read before realize that I am a fan of NARAL and as such I think attacking them solely is misguided. If they are principled enough to back a republican for their cause, I am sure they are principled enough to remove their backing should he vote against their interests.
I assure you the reasons for doing both are the same.
