First Door on the Left

DNC Chairman Howard Dean:

“As the first woman on the Court, Justice O’Connor is one of our nation’s most important historical figures. Her retirement marks a truly significant moment. While we might not have agreed with all of her decisions, she has been a voice of moderation whose career was marked by a commitment to placing the law ahead of partisanship and ideology. It is crucial that the next Supreme Court Justice bring this philosophy to the highest court in the land.

“All Americans today are united in expressing our gratitude to Justice O’Connor for her service to our country: President Bush should choose to continue that unity. Americans deserve a dignified process, one that puts our democracy and the rights of all Americans ahead of partisanship and ideology.

“President Bush should follow the example established by President Reagan when he nominated Justice O’Connor. President Reagan had the courage to stand up to the right wing extremists in his party by choosing a moderate, thoughtful jurist.

“A President faces no more important decision in terms of protecting the rights and liberties of all Americans than nominating a Supreme Court Justice. President Bush has a constitutional responsibility to do what presidents before him have done — seek the advice of senators from both parties before making a nomination, and choose a mainstream nominee who will protect our most important rights and freedoms.

“Democrats hope this process can be one of consensus, rather than confrontation, but that will be up to President Bush.” [link]

RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman:

�As the first woman ever to serve on the United States Supreme Court, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor shattered the glass ceiling that existed in American jurisprudence. Over the past twenty-four years, her contributions to the nation’s highest court will be remembered for her thoughtful, well-reasoned rulings on the difficult issues of the day. Her presence on the Court will never be replaced, but her seat must be filled and President Bush will work to put forth a nominee worthy of succeeding Sandra Day O’Connor. I urge Senate Democrats to look beyond the inevitable protest from far-left special interest groups and approach any nominee with the unbiased evaluation they deserve.� [link]