John Roberts - SCOTUS Conference Call

I was on a conference call last night concerning the Supreme Court [SCOTUS] with big head Ted Kennedy, Ralph Neas, Joe Trippi, Chris Bowers and Armando and a slew of bloggers. The same call that Susie posted on earlier today. Joe posted last night. I must say that I was pretty star struck as I heard Kennedy's booming Masshole accent come on the line. Oh how I love that Kennedy accent. I prefer Quimby, but it's merely an exaggeration of the Kennedy Boston accent. I should note that on any other person, I can't stand that horrible grating accent - that said, I understand that NYers have an equally grating way of saying things myself included. Some background info on John Roberts.

Kennedy started off the call, he actually came in early. Trippi didn't expect him until later. Trippi's intro to the call was cut short as he let the big dog speak. He stressed how walls have been knocked down recently concerning women's rights, GLBT rights, civil rights, etc and that John Roberts could be a justice, Chief Justice, to erect new walls against the progress. Kennedy said that while serving in the Solicitor General's office, Roberts was involved in over 300 cases and that the Democratic members on the Judiciary Committee only want to see sixteen cases having to do with specific Constitutional law. He noted that even Bork's papers were turned over.

Kennedy said that he'd focus his questions during his thirty minutes today to ask questions in regards to civil rights, minority rights, women's rights and the disabled. He emphasized that nobody is entitled to serve on the SCOTUS, the nominee has to win it with the American people and that Congress is the embodiment of the American people. He stressed that nobody is denying Roberts' knowledge of the law. He said a couple times that "This nominee must be a member of the march towards progress" and that we don't need a justice that will knock down the work Congress has done in the recent past specifically with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title IX.

He ended his time on the call by stressing that other than the issue of going to war, voting on a SCOTUS nominee is the most important thing they do in the Senate. He feels that he was right on his vote on the war and he feels his instincts on Roberts are right as well. He was open to a follow up call before the hearings are finished [most likely by Friday].

Trippi introduced Neas as the "101st Senator" who has been looking out for the American people for decades. Neas opened by saying that over 100 important SCOTUS precedents will be overturned with a decisive Republican majority/faction. He also pointed out that with a Republican majority/faction, they will remove the Constitutional basis for progress via their interpretation of the Commerce Clause.

Neas on John Roberts... He was the key lieutenant to turn back the clock on key environmental, abortion, civil rights and other cases under Reagan and H.W. Bush. Roberts' conservatism lies somewhere between Rehnquist and Scalia/Thomas, but he is more dangerous than all of them because of his likeability. He has great social skills. This is being played up quite a bit, especially by the MSM and this sociability is dangerous because he could be very persuasive in getting votes on the bench. If the Democrats roll over on this nominee, it gives W a green light to put forth a really radical extremist to take the place of O'Connor. Neas believes that the Dems on the Judiciary Committee will do a good job. Roberts is the darling of the religious right and of big business; he is the #1 choice of big business. More than 50% of Americans do not have an opinion on him because they don't know enough about him. He is young and could be on the bench for eight or nine presidential terms if appointed.

Bowers was short and sweet. He said that bloggers must post more about Roberts. That for once, the MSM is giving the nomination more attention than the bloggers. Bloggers must make this the priority on the blogosphere.

Armando said that there were two big things to focus on: First, the hiding of documents on Roberts' past by W's administration; the unprecedented failure of the administration to turn over documents germane to Senate hearings. The Senate is supposed to be able to consider anything that they consider germane to the hearings. When the Right says that there are attorney-client privileges, they are the ones who broke that privilege with Whitewater, a criminal matter. Second, the issue of privacy, not just Roe v. Wade, but Griswold v. Connecticut and the Commerce Clause. Griswold is considered 'settled law' and will not likely be argued in front of the SCOTUS and Roberts should be able to answer questions regarding the case. Roberts said in his statement yesterday that he's an umpire and that he's only calling balls and strikes; Armando needs to know what his strike zone is, what he thinks about the Constitution.

The Q&A/Discussion session started with a question from Miriam from Raw Story on a possible filibuster. Neas said that Sen. Schumer said that he would not rule it out. It would take a constant denial of requested papers from the administration, getting key swing votes and for Roberts to appear non-responsive.

Matt Stoller of BOP News asked if Thomas Neas thought Thomas was misleading in his testimony, and if so, since there were no effective consequences, why wouldn't Roberts be just as misleading. Neas said that Thomas was misleading, especially regarding Roe v. Wade.

Peter Daou from the Daou Report said that with the filibuster not being on the table as of now, there is not as much excitement right now and everyone is staying with Katrina coverage. Daou asked if there was one "CNN Question of the Day" that bloggers could use to really turn heads. Neas immediately said that the privacy issue was it. Neas went on to say that he has never seen a better candidate reflective of the DC establishment. Roberts has seduced journalists, politicians, other lawyers... They're all willing to overlook his judicial philosophy [or lack thereof revealed] because of his charm and likeability. Too many think that this is the best nominee that will come out of this administration and that this is a done deal.

Trippi concluded the call saying that he wanted to organize a couple more calls on SCOTUS and the timetable ahead. The hearings will likely be over by Friday and Frist wants a vote by the end of September to have Roberts in place for the start of the next SCOTUS session which starts October 3rd.

It was a whirlwind call that was pretty interesting. To build on Neas' final comments, it doesn't help that the Democratic establishment seems to have rolled over already. Basically taking the filibuster off the table and with muted Democratic attacks. SCOTUS and Roberts need to be kept on the front burner with this short timetable.

***UPDATE*** 9.14.05
The audio of the call is available for download via Joe Trippi.

Comments

[Momo]

Besides blogging of course, what can be done on the small person level to make it apparent that Roberts is not mine nor many people's choice.

[albert]

Momo-
We can educate ourselves. Educate our friends, family, co-workers about the process and importance of a SCOTUS appointment, TWO appointments and in particular, this nominee's judicial philosophy. We can write letters to editors of papers, local and national and write to Congress. If you hear people discussing it on public and you hear something incorrect, engage. Lots of things!