Politics | 05/07/2009 7:50 am

Sen. Sessions Says He Would Support Pro-Life, Gay Justice, But Not 'Activists' (Video)

Sen. Jeff Sessions, now heading Judiciary Committee, uses surprising judgment on controversial issues.

By The Staff at wowOwow.com

Sen. Jeff Sessions/Image: Wikipedia

The ascension of Republican Jeff Sessions to head of the Senate Judiciary Committee had some people a bit worried. It’s only natural. Sessions’s 1986 bid for federal judge was detracted by accounts and accusations of racism, but Sessions surprised his colleagues and Congress yesterday when he said he would not be opposed to either a pro-choice or gay appointee to the Supreme Court seat left open by David Souter’s departure later this year.

First, Sessions told The Hill that he does not think someone’s sexuality should come into play when President Obama picks a new Justice. This is especially timely because some say Obama is considering two lesbian appointees, Kathleen Sullivan or Pam Karlan.

Said Sessions on the matter, via HuffPo:

I may disagree with some legal opinion on those issues, but I think fundamentally it will be up to the president to submit somebody who would unite the country and would be a clear statement of a mainstream judge who commits himself to the law.

Later, in an interview with Fox News, Sessions said he would be alright with someone who had "a different view on abortion than I have." The anchor then asked, "Does that mean a pro-choice candidate could get your vote?" Sessions replied, "Yes." The senator also insisted he does not think the party should have a "litmus test" for controversial issues, but did point out that any candidate would have to explain their reasoning on issues such as Roe v. Wade and should not be an "activist." The ideal candidate would view the law objectively — or one can only hope!

Here’s the video of Sessions’ interview with Fox:

10 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

I don’t think so. Next! A womens right to choose should be just that. Not taken away by a man. If men had to have babies they would put a clinic on every corner and birth control would be FREE!

By S G on 05/07/2009 8:01 am

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Roe V Wade will never be overturned. After all these years no matter who is chosen this issue will never go backwards because no matter what side you are on Pro or Con it’s would be like trying to go back to the 50’s and for anyone it would be political suicide. Woman have a right yeah or nay and politics be damed. Keep government out of this is my motto. Just like whether you like it or not the ten commandements are on the Supreme court building. Leave it alone it’s part of our history and who are any of us to change history.

By Barbara B on 05/07/2009 8:58 am

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It amuses me to hear these guys talking about "activist" judges, as though any judge who doesn’t agree with their line of thinking is somehow against the Constitution. As though Bush didn’t spend 8 years packing the Court. If Scalia and Thomas aren’t activist judges, I don’t know what is.

By Diana T on 05/07/2009 9:29 am

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Agreed. Thank you Diana. Well said.

By S G on 05/07/2009 10:01 am

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The republican voices have spoken:

"As we learned during the Clarence Thomas hearings, character assassination is the stock and trade of Democrats in the SCOTUS wars. Refresh your memories of how outrageously Ted Kennedy and company
tried to beat Justice Alito over the head with the race card. Kennedy then attempted to paint Alito as hostile to women, while maintaining a membership at a club that bans women from membership. They have no shame.

The race-obsessed leftists are the ones wearing the bigot blinders. They see every white Southern Republican male in public office as a de facto racist. Hey, never mind that Sen. Sessions voted to confirm Eric Holder as Attorney General (a mistake, in my opinion, but an inconvenient fact the smear merchants won’t acknowledge). This is uncontestable: Sen. Sessions is a man of integrity. If he is extreme about anything, it’s about fair-mindedness. After the Left used slimy race-card tactics to kill his bid for a federal judgeship in 1986, he has served in office for more than two decades with character and distinction. He conducts himself with the utmost civility in hearings and on the Senate floor — and his colleagues on both sides of the aisle say so. Because of his own unfair treatment during the judicial confirmation process, Sen. Sessions has made clear that he will insist on a tough but fair hearing for any nominee.

As we learned during the Clarence Thomas hearings, character assassination is the stock and trade of Democrats in the SCOTUS wars. Refresh your memories of how outrageously Ted Kennedy and company
tried to beat Justice Alito over the head with the race card. Kennedy then attempted to paint Alito as hostile to women, while maintaining a membership at a club that bans women from membership. They have no shame.

Democrats in the Senate aren’t going to stand up to these bully tactics"Democrats in the Senate aren’t going to stand up to these bully tactics. Every Republican in the Senate with a centimeter of spine should rally behind Sessions and call out the Left for its preemptive strategy to stifle substantive debate about Obama’s Supreme Court nomination. This is no time to sit on the sidelines while one of your colleagues is baselessly defamed to provide a grand distraction. It’s time for the GOP fight back."

By deber B on 05/07/2009 9:54 am