Quoting Cornyn, early Reuters report suggested "liberals" do not "respect the words and meaning of the Constitution"
SUMMARY: Reuters reported that Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) "said he supported [Judge Samuel A.] Alito for the same reason many oppose him -- his refusal to embrace a liberal agenda." The article then quoted Cornyn's statement: "I want judges ... who will respect the words and meaning of the Constitution, the laws enacted by Congress, and the laws enacted by state legislatures." Reuters' juxtaposition of the term "liberal agenda" and Cornyn's statement has the effect of promoting Cornyn's view that a "liberal agenda" is inconsistent with a respect for the Constitution.
A January 9 Reuters article on the first day of the Senate Judiciary Committee's confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr. reported that Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) "said he supported Alito for the same reason many oppose him -- his refusal to embrace a liberal agenda." The article then quoted Cornyn's opening statement, which read: "I want judges ... who will respect the words and meaning of the Constitution, the laws enacted by Congress, and the laws enacted by state legislatures." Reuters' juxtaposition of the term "liberal agenda" and Cornyn's statement has the effect of promoting Cornyn's view that a "liberal agenda" is inconsistent with a respect for the Constitution.
The January 9 Reuters article was published online shortly after 2 p.m. ET, before Cornyn actually delivered his opening statement. According to this early report:
Sen. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, said he supported Alito for the same reason many oppose him -- his refusal to embrace a liberal agenda.
"I want judges on the Supreme Court who will not use their position to impose a political agenda," Cornyn said. "I want judges ... who will respect the words and meaning of the Constitution, the laws enacted by Congress, and the laws enacted by state legislatures."
From Cornyn's statement, published prior to the hearings:
The question is why, with so many people from both sides of the aisle and across the ideological spectrum supporting your nomination, are liberal special interest groups and their allies devoting so much time and money to defeat your nomination? The answer, I'm afraid, is that there are a number of groups that do not want honest and fair-minded judges on the Supreme Court. Rather, they want judges who will impose their liberal agenda on the American people.
[...]
Judge Alito, these groups are trying to defeat your nomination because you will not support their liberal agenda. And the reason they oppose you is precisely why I support you. I want judges on the Supreme Court who will not use their position to impose a political agenda on the American people. I want judges on the Supreme Court who will respect the words and meaning of the Constitution, the laws enacted by Congress, and the laws enacted by state legislatures.
By failing to place quotation marks around "liberal agenda" or inserting an aside attributing the characterization to Cornyn, Reuters suggested that a so-called "liberal agenda" actually exists, and that it is inconsistent with a respect for the Constitution, Congress, and state legislatures. Reuters dropped this language and the Cornyn quote from its later wire reports on the Alito hearings.
Wow to that and I can't believe O'Reilly didn't get quoted today! Wow x2.
This is the same joker who said "None of your civil liberties matter much after you're dead" (December 20, 2005) - a gross insult to the sons and daughters of America who since the first shots were fired at Lexington and Concord have died to keep us free.
Why didn't we just waive the white flag to the Nazis and save all those battle deaths? As Lincoln said, because the heroes gave their last full measure that those remaining might be free!
There is a lesson here - when good people don't vote and otherwise participate - from DeLay to Bush to Cornyn - they are doomed to get the representation they deserve.
To even suggest that this so-called "conservative" Alito is respectful of our constitution or the legislative branch of our gov't is a laugh. GWB picked him. That's really all we need to know.
The nonsense about "liberal agenda" is just more distraction from the fact that Alito is a radical dressed in conservative clothing.
Is this post a slap at Reuters or Cornyn? Or is Reuters' "intentional" juxtaposition an attempt to stir up a certain constituency?
It should be a slap on both: Cornyn, because he is the source of the misinformation, and Reuters, for distributing the misinformation.
How funny that he comments on liberal groups who want to impose a liberal agenda on america. However when Harriet Miers was chosen, she was not conservative enough to support the conservative agenda for america. Oh the irony of it all.
Remember the cries from Congress all the way down to Hannity of, "The President's nominee deserves an up-or-down vote!" before the Roberts Confirmation.
It was startling how quickly that attitude disappeared for the confirmation of Harriet Miers.
Please reveal how excessive executive power is "respecting" the constitution, either literally or figuratively? Please reveal how giving more power to the powerful is protecting the interests of Americans?
I've read commentary regarding the constitution that suggests the ideas put forth in it were liberal in relationship to the time and world that the document was written.
I don't really think it is fair to apply the conservatively redefined/demonized view of liberalism to a document that set forth the ideas and values of this country.
But then again, conservatives are no friends to individuals' rights.
Just my opinion..
Often "liberal society or liberal governments" was used to describe democratic countries. Liberal is a lovely word no matter what the right wing ideologues want to brainwash their followers into believing.
Cornyn also stated is his little fantasy speech that the Supreme Court ruled that children couldn't pray in public schools. No Supreme Court has ever ruled that kids can't pray in school,I believe the 9th Appeals Court in Calif. ruled that the words "Under God" have to be left out.If this statement wasn't in out and out lie by the cornball Senator from Texas I don't know what is? When I took my son to school this morning we both prayed in the parking lot,where do we turn our selves in?Would it be the Republican Thought Police,Jerry Falwell ,who do we turn ourselves into for violating a Supreme Court decision.
I am all for the election of a judge that still respects the Constitution for what it is and isn't always trying to change it. I believe having a conservative Judge would be good.
You Must be NUTS !
If you were really as big a fan of the Constitution as you claim, you'd know Supreme Court justices aren't elected.
Ha Ha! You know he represents the guys that have decided the judicial directon of the US for years to come.