"No Fillibuster" comes back quickly

“I am very concerned with Judge Alito’s record regarding an individual’s constitutional right to privacy. While I do not expect any judicial nominee to prejudge future cases, I do expect all nominees to make their positions clear on protecting the most basic rights of individuals and the fundamental structure and foundations of our democracy. In the end, I cannot be sure that Judge Alito would do either.
“Judge Alito has a record of concern when it comes to placing and consolidating the rights of the government over the rights of the individual and he has not provided the answers to adequately reassure the people of our nation. I must conclude that he would neither show due respect for the authority of Congress nor apply a necessary check to the reach of the executive. With great respect for the institution, I cannot vote to confirm Judge Alito to the Supreme Court of the United States.” ......

The above statement is from a press release by Senator Maria Cantwell issued on January 31, 2006. Just how concerned was/is Sen. Cantwell? Not concerned enough to stand up and be counted with Senators Kennedy, Murray, Kerry, Feingold, Clinton, and others to attempt to fillibuster the foregone conclusion of an Alito confirmation vote.

Why is this decision still in question? Have you read the news out of South Dakota? The assault on personal liberty and reproductive rights is in full frontal attack mode - heading straight to a United States Supreme Court (not even) close to you. The argument may rage as to whether any fillibuster would have been sustainable but there can never be any question as to how committed Senator Cantwell was to her own convictions that a Justice Alito would be an unacceptable risk to the Constitution.

Are we willing to reward such conviction to principle with six more years?

Peace,

Chad (The Left) Shue