Thread: LULAC backs Gonzales for Supreme court...

http://www.abqtrib.com/albq/nw_local/ar ... %2C00.html

High-court consensus sought
Local groups push women and Hispanics

By Kate Nash
Tribune Reporter
July 6, 2005

New Mexico advocates from different sides of the political spectrum say President Bush should consult with U.S. senators as he finds someone to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

But how much of a consensus that chatting could build on Capitol Hill remains to be seen.

Elected officials and a coalition of groups called the New Mexicans for a Fair and Independent Judiciary said Tuesday that Bush should choose a moderate like O'Connor.

Other groups who issued news releases say the nominee ought to be Hispanic.

"I think the real challenge before President Bush is to find a nominee that meets the `O'Connor test,' " Lt. Gov. Diane Denish said at the event near Civic Plaza.

"Does he or she reflect the high standards set by Justice O'Connor, who protected America's civil liberties, held our Constitution in high respect and made decisions based on reason versus ideology?"

O'Connor, the first woman to serve on the high court, announced her retirement last week.

A handful of city and state lawmakers joined Denish, a first-term Democrat, to urge Bush to work with U.S. Sens. Pete Domenici, an Albuquerque Republican, and Jeff Bingaman, a Democrat from Silver City.

State Rep. Danice Picraux, an Albuquerque Democrat who attended the event, said she would like to see a woman replace O'Connor.

"She opened the door for women who now sit at all levels of the judiciary," she said. "She's been more than a role model for us."

O'Connor was seen as a moderate by some, in part because she voted to protect a women's right to an abortion.

Joan LaMunyon-Sanford, director of the New Mexico Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, said Bush and the Senate should work to unify the nation.

"As you know, people have differing views about abortion, all of them coming from a place of faith and conscience. The nomination and confirmation process for the highest court of the land must not become a forum to air those personal views."

Pat Rogers, a local Republican attorney, said Domenici could play a role in Bush's choice for a nominee.

"I think he regularly confers with the president, and I expect his input would be considered," Rogers said. "I think Senator Domenici will have real input in the matter."

Rogers also said minorities are likely among those Bush will consider.

"I think it's inconceivable that a Hispanic and/or a woman isn't going to receive considerable consideration," he said. "There's no shortage of qualified Hispanics."

The New Mexico advocates are just part of the many that senators can expect to hear from on the topic.

Separate from Tuesday's event in Albuquerque, the League of United Latin American Citizens endorsed U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales for the post. Also, the Hispanic National Bar Association sent Bush a list of candidates it considers qualified. The list includes Gonzales and seven others.

"President Bush has the unique opportunity to create a legacy with any future appointment," Alan Varela, president of the Hispanic bar association, said in a written statement. "He has the chance to appoint the first Hispanic American to the bench.

"Should he do so, he will demonstrate that we are most certainly the greatest nation in the world, a nation that provides true opportunity for the best and brightest to achieve the American dream."

VaMama, I was just relaxing. Now you went and spoiled it! Just kidding with you, of course.
Of course they want Gonzales. But who cares?
What a bunch of LUNELACS!

I almost put "SHOCKING" in front of my title. But thought I would refrain.