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September 25, 2005 08:00 AM UTC

Ken Salazar Will Back John Roberts

  • 16 Comments
  • by: Colorado Pols

As Colorado Pols first reported last week, Senator Ken Salazar will back John Roberts for confirmation as the next Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Salazar’s office issued a statement this afternoon:

“In the West, you take people at their word.  Based on the word given by Judge John Roberts, I will cast my vote for his confirmation as Chief Justice of the United States.

I have reached my decision based on Judge Roberts word that:

1. He will stand up and fight for an independent judiciary, and defend the judiciary from unwarranted attacks on its independence.

2. He will not roll back the clock of progress for civil rights and recognizes that the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment extends to all Americans, including women and racial and ethnic minorities.

3. He will respect the rule of law and the precedents of the United States Supreme Court, including the most important decisions of the last century.

4. He understands the importance of the freedom of religion and religious pluralism as a cornerstone of a free America.

5. He will work to create a federal judicial system that embraces diversity and has a face that reflects the diverse population of America.

I have carefully considered all of the information before me, carefully reviewed the Judiciary Committee proceedings, and had two separate private meetings with Judge Roberts.  Based on that deliberation, I have reached my own independent decision on how I will cast my vote on Judge Roberts.”

This is probably a smart move for Salazar because it allows him to make more noise in opposing the next Supreme Court nominee. Roberts was going to win confirmation anyway, so the only reason to vote NO would have been for symbolic reasons…and Salazar isn’t in a safe enough seat to be combative just for the sake of it. Salazar can let other Democratic leaders, such as Minority Leader Harry Reid, do the symbolism. You have to pick your battles in politics, and Salazar obviously decided this wasn’t one of them.

And remember – once again, you heard it here first.

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16 thoughts on “Ken Salazar Will Back John Roberts”

  1. This is one democrat who approves of Salazar’s vote for Roberts.  A “Roberts-type” conservative is about the best we could hope for from this guy in the White House.  I don’t think he will be nearly as reactionary as Scalia or Thomas.  We need to keep our ammo dry for the next nominee who will most probably be in their mold.

  2. The Washington Post Saturday blasted Democrats who are opposing Roberts on purely partisan grounds and praised those with the guts to vote for him.

    So does Salazar rate 5 stars for guts?

    Not yet. How he votes on the next nominee will reveal his true colors.

    Don

  3. What do we know about Mr. Roberts, and what do we know about those who nominated him? Someone please convince me otherwise, but the impression I have of the man is his willingness to argue on behalf of corporate interests for substantial fees. Am I wrong? Then, let’s look to the founding fathers for the ideal that was to be the judiciary branch, shall we?

  6. Kind of curious
    Salazar tells women opposed to the Roberts nomination  on Friday that he had not made up his mind. Tells big donors six days ago he is going to vote for Roberts.

  7. I have a few words for Salazar (and Udall) at my campaign web site: http://www.DaveChandler.us

    I hope real progressives out there are beginning to understand that Democrats take them completely for granted … that’s not good for the progressive movement, for the Democratic Party, or for the endurance of democracy in our country.

  9. Sir Robin,
    Given that several of the founders represented the interests of capital in exchange for payment of legal fees, I doubt they would be too troubled.

  10. on point as usual, brio.  With the notable exception of the Warren Court, the history of the federal judiciary is mostly one of activist judges going out of their way to defend the rights of capital at the expense of labor.  Read Page Smith’s “People’s History of the United States” for exhaustive documentation.  (It’s eight volumes, so don’t expect a quick read.  And don’t confuse the Smith masterpiece with Howard Zinn’s shallow one volume screed of the same name.

  11. This is nearly word-for-word what you said when Salazar supported Alberto Gonzales for AG: “A smart move.”  At least your advocacy is consistent.

    So let’s take values completely out of it, as seems to be the practice here, and just look at the horse race aspects.  What “payback” or “clout” is Ken Salazar going to get as a result of crossing the aisle?

    Or more simply:
    – Name one example of a Republican-leaning vote by a Democrat since 2000 that has in turn led to that Representative’s increased influence.

    Simply put, the Republican majority does not respect compromise.  In fact, such actions are seen as weakness.  Karl Rove targets first those Democrats who vote differently from their Party, and Salazar is clueless enough of a freshman not to realize that he’s just repainted the big target on his back.

    Now I know you two at Colorado Pols don’t much care about the U.S. torturing people, about preserving a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions, or about keeping government out of our personal lives.  If you prefer to treat politics as just another Fantasy Football-type diversion, it’s your blog.  But there’s no non-partisan evidence to suggest that Salazar backing Roberts is in any way a “smart move” for our Senator.

  12. voyageur – despite the compliment, it would make me feel better to disagree with you, but I’m not sure I can.  And having been bored after about 50 pages of Zinn (actuall 20, and dutifully pressed on a little longer), I’m glad to know there’s a better “People’s History” out there.

    HW – it will look smart if Bush’s next nominee is more objectionable than Roberts, and Salazar gets to oppose that nomination without being vulnerable to characterization as an obstructionist who opposes all judicial nominations.  If the next nominee is more objectionable and still Salazar goes along, then he just looks weak.  But I’d be willing to bet that on this one that a deliberate strategy of “safe” Dems opposing to make a statement for the party while the “vulnerable” Dems vote to confirm.  And given the second nomination coming, I for one think that’s smart.

  13. I wonder if Roberts would vote the same way Thomas did with regard to med marijuana and emminent domain?  Can you believe the audacity of that evil right-wing extremist voting against the commerce clause and in favor of private property?

    What is this world coming to when neonazicons vote in favor of individual liberty at the expense of the collective?  Salazar should definitely vote against someone who doesn’t view the federal government as the source of all liberty.

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