Roberts Hearings

[chomerics]

Has anyone been watching them? I am quite impressed with his answers, and I think he will be a good judge. He seems very fair in his demeanor, and he has answered most of the questions. He has sidestepped a lot of questions, but they were questions on cases which could come up while he is on the bench. I have no problem with him not giving his opinion.

One thing that struck me as odd was that he wouldn't denounce a far right group who called for Kennedy to be impeached, only stated that they weren't his views. That's the only thing I disliked about his answers so far. I haven't read any rulings of his, but he seems like a decient man.

I do reserve the right to change my mind once his decisions are examined though. At first glance he appears like a good canidate.

[Cdowwe]

Chom, I havent really seen any of it yet, but in one of my classes we are talking about Roberts. My professor reminds me alot of you, not a bad thing, so anything you have to say Ill listen to so I can prepare for discussion tomorrow.

[chomerics]

He seems like he will be a decient judge. He hasn't given up his hand, but from what he has stated about past actions of his, such as civil rights, he gave very god answers as to why he was arguing against the case. He didn't have to give his personal opinion into the matter, and he didn't, but he defended on why Reagan was against it very eloquintly. He appears to be conservative, which I have no problem with, but he seems fair, which is what I want. He complained about politicians using courts to circumvent laws, and why he thinks it is wrong. He seems to like debate and disagreement, a good thing. I want a judge who will listen, and not go into a matter with his or her mind made up before deliberations.

An interesting case, the Bob Jones university case, he just disagreed with the Reagan administrations POV, even though he was on their side when it was brought before the Supreme Court. Senator Durbin from Ill. brought up a memo he (Roberts) wrote, and asked him what his opinion was then. He excused himself from the case because he was working for the SCOTUS less the a year prior. In either case, Durbn is giving him the memo he's talking about, and he will revisit it tomorrow. I'm interested to see what he wroth about the college, but he has since changed his opinion.

[Cskin]

I agree Chom... and I respect you for admitting your like for the man to head the Chief Justice of the United States while the deceiving, lying, manipulating bleeding heart blame America liberal idols of yours are busy asking leading questions, simply continuing their Liberal diatribe without asking questions, or not allowing Mr. Roberts to answer (or Rebuke) misleading comments by the likes of Biden and Kennedy.

If I were a moderate.... I'd be simply appalled by the way Biden and Kennedy have treated Mr. Roberts. They made the hearings more about getting out their finely prepared 30 minute propoganda spiels and misrepresenting Robert's legal writings THAN actually learning about Mr. Roberts and his qualifications for Chief Justice.

[chomerics]

I agree Chom... and I respect you for admitting your like for the man to head the Chief Justice of the United States while the deceiving, lying, manipulating bleeding heart blame America liberal idols of yours are busy asking leading questions, simply continuing their Liberal diatribe without asking questions, or not allowing Mr. Roberts to answer (or Rebuke) misleading comments by the likes of Biden and Kennedy.

If I were a moderate.... I'd be simply appalled by the way Biden and Kennedy have treated Mr. Roberts. They made the hearings more about getting out their finely prepared 30 minute propoganda spiels and misrepresenting Robert's legal writings THAN actually learning about Mr. Roberts and his qualifications for Chief Justice.

Skin, can we please leave out the complete partisan BS? Hell, I've been pretty civil to you, yet you think every time you read a post of mine, it is like free reign to completely bash anyone who doesn't think like yourself. Do you want me to bring up everything that republicans have said or done over these past 5 years?

You know, just because I hate Bush, and everything he stands for, doesn't mean I hate all conservatives. You OTOH, seem to have a complete distaste for anything democratic. You're part of the problem with the divide in this country, I just wish you would see that, and tone down the vitriolic rhetoric a few notches.

[Sarge]

I've been coaching him on how to answer Senate questions. He's doing very well so far, but after he's sworn in, it's Sarge Jr:D

[SkinsHokieFan]

He is simply the man to be honest

I have loved his answers, his sense of humor, and his sarcasm

I loved how he got Joe Biden real good at the end of Biden's scolding of him. Made the whole comittee room laugh. Needless to say Biden was none too pleased

[Fergasun]

I think he will be great for the court.... he seems fair, funny, and has shown he is much smarter than those politicians. I like the sarcasm and personality I've seen in his opinions. Anyone who scares both the far left and the far right is good.

It seems like lawyers like these only come along once every so often.

[chomerics]

He is simply the man to be honest

I have loved his answers, his sense of humor, and his sarcasm

I loved how he got Joe Biden real good at the end of Biden's scolding of him. Made the whole comittee room laugh. Needless to say Biden was none too pleased

I missed Biden and Kennedy earlier in the day, but it sounds like they were pretty harsh on the man because of his writings. Not having read them, I can't comment for either side, but I did hear him say he has changed his position, so that's fine with me.

[chomerics]

Anyone who scares both the far left and the far right is good.

:notworthy:

So effin true.

[SkinsHokieFan]

I missed Biden and Kennedy earlier in the day, but it sounds like they were pretty harsh on the man because of his writings. Not having read them, I can't comment for either side, but I did hear him say he has changed his position, so that's fine with me.

Here is the exchange, as reported by the Washingtonpost today

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/13/AR2005091301127_2.html

The hearing proceeding rather calmly and respectfully -- until Biden had his turn. The senator sought to extend -- and, indeed, torture -- Roberts's baseball metaphor from Monday. "The founders never set a strike zone," Biden reported, and Roberts smiled politely. Biden spent nearly nine of his 30 minutes of question time delivering an opening statement, then said: "Let me get right to it."

Biden, skipping the stare decisis , asked Roberts directly about abortion.

"That is in an area where I think I should not respond," Roberts said.

"Why?" Biden demanded. When Roberts tried to explain himself, Biden interjected "that is not true" and, shaking his head sadly, said, "aw, judge, judge."

Specter tried to referee. "Wait a minute, Senator Biden," the chairman said. "He's not finished his answer."

"He's filibustering, senator," Biden responded.

To Roberts, Biden said: "Go ahead. Go ahead and continue not to answer."

Biden was caustic and personal. Discussing an old Roberts memo on gender discrimination, the senator accused Roberts of "very poor staff work" and said: "I hope you don't still hold that view, man."

Roberts got his revenge when Biden quizzed him about gender discrimination. Biden cut the judge off repeatedly, saying "my time's running out."

Roberts indulged in a small measure of revenge. While Biden fired off a series of questions without allowing Roberts to answer, the nominee finally replied: "Well, I was about to lay it out. You said you didn't want to hear about it." The room filled with laughter. Biden did not smile.

[chomerics]

Thanks for the post ShF, I've been looking for the video online, so I can see it. It sounds pretty good.

Personally, I have no problem with his writings when he was younger and working for Reagan, he was doing his job.

[visionary]

Has anyone been watching them? I am quite impressed with his answers, and I think he will be a good judge. He seems very fair in his demeanor, and he has answered most of the questions. He has sidestepped a lot of questions, but they were questions on cases which could come up while he is on the bench. I have no problem with him not giving his opinion.

One thing that struck me as odd was that he wouldn't denounce a far right group who called for Kennedy to be impeached, only stated that they weren't his views. That's the only thing I disliked about his answers so far. I haven't read any rulings of his, but he seems like a decient man.

I do reserve the right to change my mind once his decisions are examined though. At first glance he appears like a good canidate.

I watched a lot of it today...and yesterday. Man, I have no idea how he has such a good memory, with all the wierd questions they were asking him. I was really impressed by him and his calmness throughout the whole process, especially since some of the questions were pretty rude, I thought and some of the people were a little obnoxious.

I thought he was a little too evasive for Biden (who along with Kennedy made me want to yell at the tv a couple of times), but overall, he looked really good out there and even made some of the senators on both sides look a little silly for their obvious attempts to politicize things. I think Kohl and Fienstine were left with their heads spinning.

It was also interesting to see Spector so protective of Roberts... and to see yesterday that he is being introduced and sponsored by Warner, Lugar, and Baye.

Also what was up with Lindsey Graham, he's usually pretty on target and cagey, but while he had a lot of interesting points to make, some of his questions were awfully strange... :laugh:

And if I hear them talk about Baseball again... :mad:

[chomerics]

I watched a lot of it today...and yesterday. Man, I have no idea how he has such a good memory, with all the wierd questions they were asking him. I was really impressed by him and his calmness throughout the whole process, especially since some of the questions were pretty rude, I thought and some of the people were a little obnoxious.

I thought he was a little too evasive for Biden (who along with Kennedy made me want to yell at the tv a couple of times), but overall, he looked really good out there and even made some of the senators on both sides look a little silly for their obvious attempts to politicize things. I think Kohl and Fienstine were left with their heads spinning.

It was also interesting to see Spector so protective of Roberts... and to see yesterday that he is being introduced and sponsored by Warner, Lugar, and Baye.

Also what was up with Lindsey Graham, he's usually pretty on target and cagey, but while he had a lot of interesting points to make, some of his questions were awfully strange... :laugh:

And if I hear them talk about Baseball again... :mad:

:laugh: about the baseball bit

I thought the same as you. They referenced case files from 20 years ago, and he was on the ball with all of them. I can't even imagine the memory he has.

He is everything I want in a justice, so far. He seems decient, fair and a "bottom up" justice, not a "top down" one. In otherwords, he puts the case before his ideology, not the other way around. He would definately get my vote if I was on the Senate Judicial Committe.

[Cdowwe]

It seemed Kennedy was a little more civil today, like he knew Roberts was going to be confirmed and was just quizzing him more to get a feel how he will decide cases.

[DjTj]

I agree Chom... and I respect you for admitting your like for the man to head the Chief Justice of the United States while the deceiving, lying, manipulating bleeding heart blame America liberal idols of yours are busy asking leading questions, simply continuing their Liberal diatribe without asking questions, or not allowing Mr. Roberts to answer (or Rebuke) misleading comments by the likes of Biden and Kennedy.

If I were a moderate.... I'd be simply appalled by the way Biden and Kennedy have treated Mr. Roberts. They made the hearings more about getting out their finely prepared 30 minute propoganda spiels and misrepresenting Robert's legal writings THAN actually learning about Mr. Roberts and his qualifications for Chief Justice.

I for one am glad some Senators are trying to be tough on him. This is a job interview to lead the highest Court in the land for the rest of his life. Roberts should be put under at least a little bit of pressure, and I think he's handled it very well.

It seems to me that Kennedy and Biden were trying to push some buttons and see if they could draw any blood. Roberts has certainly acquitted himself well, which makes him an even more appealing nominee.

[Predicto]

There is a lot of yelling in some circles over the outrageous treatment Roberts has been subjected to in these hearings. To hear Sean Hannity talk, it is like a star chamber.

Biden was a little over the top, but generally, the questioning has not been unreasonable given that he is likely to be the all important Chief Justice of the United States for the next thirty years or so. I do not think that Kennedy was that outrageous (Of course, given who he is, lots of people get outraged at Kennedy as soon as the says the word "the.") Biden did not do himself any favors, but that is about it.

Roberts is going to be confirmed, and he should be.

[nelms]

Biden has been an absolute pr!ck in his questioning. It's one thing to ask tough questions, it's another to do it in a sneering, condescending way like he has. And he won't even let Roberts answers the damn questions. At one point in the questioning, Biden was bragging about some legislation that he "personally wrote". I wonder if he plagarized that too.

[codeorama]

I"ll be honest, I haven't followed any of this, why does he scare the extreme left and extreme right?

[Guest Gichin13]

I agree Chom... and I respect you for admitting your like for the man to head the Chief Justice of the United States while the deceiving, lying, manipulating bleeding heart blame America liberal idols of yours are busy asking leading questions, simply continuing their Liberal diatribe without asking questions, or not allowing Mr. Roberts to answer (or Rebuke) misleading comments by the likes of Biden and Kennedy.

If I were a moderate.... I'd be simply appalled by the way Biden and Kennedy have treated Mr. Roberts. They made the hearings more about getting out their finely prepared 30 minute propoganda spiels and misrepresenting Robert's legal writings THAN actually learning about Mr. Roberts and his qualifications for Chief Justice.

Both sides are really guilty of that during these hearings. Hatch let him answer about two minutes of questions, Lindsay Graham today was talking about his service as a military lawyer for like five straight minutes. Same with everyone on both sides of the aisle each day of the hearings. It really is pretty much four corners offense on both sides to run out the clock on the hearings from my view.

[iheartskins]

I for one am glad some Senators are trying to be tough on him. This is a job interview to lead the highest Court in the land for the rest of his life. Roberts should be put under at least a little bit of pressure, and I think he's handled it very well.

It seems to me that Kennedy and Biden were trying to push some buttons and see if they could draw any blood. Roberts has certainly acquitted himself well, which makes him an even more appealing nominee.

I agree with you completely on both points.

[BlueTalon]

I for one am glad some Senators are trying to be tough on him. This is a job interview to lead the highest Court in the land for the rest of his life. Roberts should be put under at least a little bit of pressure, and I think he's handled it very well.

It seems to me that Kennedy and Biden were trying to push some buttons and see if they could draw any blood. Roberts has certainly acquitted himself well, which makes him an even more appealing nominee.

I think Kennedy and Biden were doing more than just trying to draw a little blood -- I think they were posturing and trying to make themselves look bigger, and ended up looking a lot smaller.

[visionary]

Schumer made me want to smack him earlier...;-)

On the other hand, Brownback sure likes to hear himself talk ;-)

[nelms]

I think Kennedy and Biden were doing more than just trying to draw a little blood -- I think they were posturing and trying to make themselves look bigger, and ended up looking a lot smaller.

Exactly. Biden and Kennedy are both embarrassments to the U.S. Senate. The Plagarizer and the Drunk have no interest in taking this confirmation seriously. They both have already decided to vote against confirmation, so they are just posturing for the cameras. Fortunately, Specter has been keeping both these windbags in line.