Cheat-Seeking Missles

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Feinstein Signals "No" On Roberts?

From AP:
California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, whose vote on Supreme Court nominee John Roberts could guide other Democrats, said Monday she will scrutinize his views on abortion and congressional authority to set social policy.

She called the impending debate over Roberts' nomination a "big, big deal."

"I don't think in the last couple of decades there has been a Supreme Court appointment that could more tip the balance of the court," Feinstein said in a speech to several hundred Silicon Valley business executives. "That's how mega this vote is." ...

Feinstein, a moderate Democrat, has emerged as a pivotal figure. Judiciary Committee Republicans have enough votes to send Roberts' nomination to the full Senate for consideration, but Feinstein's committee vote could influence other Democrats.

As the only woman on the 17-member committee, Feinstein said she has a "special role and a special obligation" in grilling Roberts - particularly on his views about the 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision legalizing abortion.

"I happen to feel that it would be very difficult for me to vote yes on a nominee I thought would overturn Roe vs. Wade," she said.
Abortion aside, she is wrong about the significance of the vote. Ginsburg represented just as much as swing to the left as Roberts may indicate a swing to the right.