Alito Opposition Grows
Feature Story by civilrights.org staff - 12/21/2005
Opposition to the Supreme Court nomination of Samuel Alito continues to build, with the announcement December 19 of nine national groups joining a growing coalition of organizations opposed to President Bush's nominee to replace Sandra Day O'Connor on the Court.
Senate hearings on Alito's nomination are scheduled to begin January 9.
Groups opposing the nomination include civil rights organizations, environmental groups, organizations representing the concerns of women and children and working families, and disability rights groups. The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence announced Tuesday it was opposing the confirmation of a Supreme Court nominee for the first time in its history.
Several organizations, including the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and the National Partnership for Women and Families, have released extensive analyses of Alito's record, which they say have led to their opposition to the nominee.
"There is just one possible conclusion from a close examination of his record: Judge Alito would turn the Supreme Court sharply to the right, and vote to reverse crucial gains from recent years," the National Partnership's report on Alito, "Tipping the Balance: The Record of Samuel Alito and What's at Stake for Women, states.
The NAACP LDF's 72-page report concludes that Alito's confirmation would "cause a substantial shift in the Supreme Court's jurisprudence on civil rights" and would be a "detriment to the nation."
MALDEF's report underscored the "credibility gap" between Alito's current statements and his past actions as an official in the Reagan administration Justice Department, referring specifically to Alito's current attempts to downplay statements made in a 1985 application for a job promotion.
"Questions regarding Judge Alito's credibility have led us to question his fitness for the Court under MALDEF's standards for evaluating the integrity and judicial temperament of a judicial nominee," the MALDEF report states.
National groups are coordinating opposition on the state and community level as part of "Stop Alito" coalitions in dozens of states around the country. Opponents say they are joined by a growing number of Senators who have serious questions about Alito's troubling record and his credibility when it comes to protecting important rights and freedoms.
