Re: Oppose Judge Charles Pickering's Nomination

[robertb@xxxxxxxxx (robert)]

 > From: John_Kerry@xxxxxxxxx (John Kerry)
 > Date: Wed, 27 Feb 2002 14:11:40 -0500
 >
 >      Thank you for contacting me regarding Charles Pickering's nomination 
 >      to be a United States Circuit Court Judge for the Fifth Circuit.  I 
 >      appreciate hearing from you.
 >      
 >      As you may know, President Bush will be nominating several individuals 
 >      to serve on the lower federal courts.  He may also have the 
 >      opportunity to appoint justices to the Supreme Court.  As lifetime 
 >      appointments, the individuals this administration nominates to the 
 >      bench will be able to shape fundamental issues such as civil rights, 
 >      religious freedom, privacy rights, freedom of speech and the 
 >      environment for decades to come.
 >      
 >      Prior to joining the bench, judges swear to uphold the laws that 
 >      govern our nation.  Part of that responsibility includes protecting 
 >      the civil liberties of all citizens, and ensuring that individuals of 
 >      all races and ethnicities receive fair treatment in the judicial 
 >      process.  In addition, the individuals we ultimately appoint to the 
 >      bench must demonstrate that they understand their decisions will have 
 >      real consequences on average people every day.  
 >      
 >      I believe that judicial nominees must have a demonstrated commitment 
 >      to civil rights and women's rights.  Likewise, they should have worked 
 >      on behalf of the disadvantaged and should not appear beholden to 
 >      powerful special interests.  I do not support the proposition that 
 >      judicial appointments should be based on an effort to further a 
 >      political agenda.  Ideological litmus tests should not take the place 
 >      of qualified legal scholarship and fair-minded, mainstream thinking.
 >      
 >      On February 7, 2002, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a 
 >      confirmation hearing on Mr. Pickering's nomination.  During the course 
 >      of the hearing, many concerns about Mr. Pickering's qualifications 
 >      were raised.  The Committee will vote on Mr. Pickering's nomination in 
 >      the coming weeks.  I will carefully consider the merits of Mr. 
 >      Pickering's nomination to the Fifth Circuit after reading the 
 >      Judiciary Committee's report on his confirmation hearing, and will 
 >      keep your views in mind before I make a final decision.
 >      
 >      Thank you, again, for sharing your concerns with me.  Should you have 
 >      any additional questions or comments on this or any other issue, 
 >      please do not hesitate to contact me.
 >      
 >      
 >      Sincerely,
 >      
 >      
 >      John F. Kerry
 >      United States Senator