While appearing on Meet the Press this past Sunday, Sen. Arlen Spector (from my home state), said he would not ask specifics of John Roberts on Roe v. Wade.

I think it is inappropriate to ask him head-on if he's going to overturn Roe, but I believe that there are many questions close to the issue, like his respect for precedent. He has emphasized his concern about stability, and we'll get a better idea of his views.

And again on Meet the Press:

I'll be asking him what he thinks about congressional power contrasted with the court's power, not how he's going to decide a specific case, but what his views of jurisprudence are, to get an idea as to how he would approach these issues.

Spector said these and other similar remarks all day Sunday, yet today at the hearing:

By 9:40, he already had dodged the particulars of Roe v. Wade four times.

"I feel the need to stay away from a discussion of specific cases," he said.

"I think I should stay away from discussion of specific issues," he demurred.

"I do feel compelled to point that I should not ... agree or disagree with particular decisions," he persisted.

"That's something that I'm going to have to draw the line in the sand," he offered.

Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., had wasted no time in grilling Roberts on one of the big issues of the day _ abortion _ and Roberts wasted no time in displaying his skills at the artful dodge.

This is ridiculous pandering and backpeddling by Spector. I am glad Roberts can smell litmus test a mile away.

Posted by Ryan S. on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 at 11:33 AM | Permalink |