I guess the democrats (except Feinstein) weren't really interested in the opinions of fellow judges (at least two of which were Clinton appointees). Yea Mavdog...I'm sure the only reason Ginsburg got 3 no votes and John Roberts got 22 was because of the "openness" of Ginsburg. But I guess the Democrats can't be bothered by hearing other judges opinions on the nominee. Or probably because they weren't allowed to speak they just weren't really interested because they already know how they will vote.
powerline
Quote:
Judge Alito's colleagues speak
Judge Alito's colleagues on the Third Circuit have been testifying this afternoon. You can get a sense of the high esteem in which they hold him by checking out NRO's Bench Memos.
One of the witnesses is Judge Timothy Lewis, an African-American, "pro-choice" judge appointed by President Clinton. Judge Lewis testified about Judge Alito's “intellectual honesty,” stating “I cannot recall one instance when Judge Alito displayed anything remotely approaching an ideological bent.” Senator Coburn asked Judge Lewis and his colleague Judge Marianne Trump Barry (also a Clinton appointee) if they had ever seen anything that would lead them to believe Alito would be hostile to the rights of women or minorities. Both testified that they would not even be in this hearing room if they had.
To her credit, Senator Feinstein stayed in the hearing room to hear and question these witnesses. However, she apparently was the only Democratic Senator to do so.
JOHN adds: This is truly extraordinary. Extraordinary that Judge Alito's colleagues have turned out to defend him against the Democrats' smears; extraordinary that the Democrats themselves couldn't be bothered to stick around to hear what this distinguished group of judges had to say. After all, if the Democrats were actually interested in what kind of judge Sam Alito is, these are precisely the witnesses who could tell them. If the Democrats really thought that Alito's judicial opinions reflect poorly on him, these are exactly the people who could answer their questions, and, if they are correct, confirm their fears. But the Democrats apparently knew that wasn't going to happen. The only conclusion one can draw is that the Democrats knew they were smearing a fine man and a fine judge. But the fact that they didn't even have the decency or respect to stay and listen to Alito's colleagues is disgusting.
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