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Judge Sam Alito


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I wanted to get some opinions regarding the probable confirmation vote of Judge Sam Alito, to replace the departing Sandra Day O'Connor for the US Supreme Court.

 

The concern out there, is that Judge Alito has a track record during his career as a judge in voicing rulings which lean towards big business, and more executive powers as opposed to the individual rights. Also it has been contested that some of his past rulings have been against a women's right to abortion, or in the least voiced opinions that it would make it more difficult for a women to have one, with out notifiying parents, or their spouse.

 

For those of you not following these events, Judge Alito has been confirmed 10-8 by the judiciary committee (10 republicans for / 8 Democrats against), to send his case to the Senate for the vote. In the senate (made up of each states 2 senators) a simple majority vote will decide. As the Republicans hold 55 seats in the senate ( a clear majority to the 44 democrats), and all expect to vote in favor of confirmation, it is apparent that Judge Alito will become the next Supreme Court Judge. This position unlike other positions in government, is a lifetime position, and is only changed when a Justice retires or dies (as was the recent case with Chief Justice William Renquist).

 

Some democratic Senators like Ted Kennedy, and now today John Kerry, have called for a fillabuster, which would require 41 votes to incur. A fillabuster (take from the Dutch word for pirate I am told). This would basically cause a delay tactic in the confirmation, and can only be overturned by 60 votes, which the Republicans don't have. Many democracts don't want to force a fillabuster, as 3 democrats already said they would support Judge Alito, and many moderates feel that if the filabuster fails, it would make the democratic party look very bad in the eyes of the country.

 

This is a very important vote as the current justices are split pretty evenly (between "liberals" and "conservatives" 4 to 4, with the departing Justice O'Connor thought to be as a moderate.

 

 

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The Judicial, executive, and legislative branches are seperate unto themselves.

 

Its a good question though why the public who votes for the latter two branches, doesn't vote for the first one.

 

 

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Knix' date='Jan 27 2006, 02:40 PM' post='28476']

The Judicial, executive, and legislative branches are seperate unto themselves.

 

Its a good question though why the public who votes for the latter two branches, doesn't vote for the first one.

 

 

Specifically to keep the judiciary objective and independent. Non-political. HA!

 

I'm very disappointed that the dems won't fillabuster. It would have been fun squashing them.

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