Feminists Tetchy Over John Roberts
By Isaiah Z. Sterrett (07/20/05)
HE’S NEITHER a savage beast nor a blithering idiot. That’s the important part. Liberals’ primary argument against nearly every Republican to come down the pike can be characterized as an attack on his kindness or, more often, on his intelligence. But not this time. Susan Estrich, longtime Democratic strategist and manager of the failed Dukakis campaign, said on international television (Fox News) that Judge John G. Roberts is a “developed intellectual” and a very charming guy—as opposed to Nino Scalia, who eats kittens. Estrich did not explicitly voice support for Roberts, but she didn’t seem heartbroken. This is in sharp contrast to the New York Times, which editorialized that Roberts may be part of a conservative plot to reinstitute “air pollution, unsafe working conditions, and child labor.” At least we’re off to a bipartisan start.
And speaking of bipartisanship, which Democrats are always claiming to love, there hasn’t been a whole lot from our friends in blue. NARAL Pro-Choice America placed an anti-Roberts ad on its Web page almost immediately after the story broke, urging its members—if it has any—to write their Senators angry letters. “Don’t let his choice end yours,” weeps the headline.
The National Organization for Women took the classy approach of posting photos of Rosie Jimenez, Clara Duvall, Pauline Roberson Shirley, and Becky Bell, “women who died because they could not obtain safe and legal abortions.” NOW did not include pictures of any of the over 30 million babies who never got the opportunity to debate the future of the Supreme Court, principally because they were aborted by the kind of people who give money to NOW.
Revoltingly, another picture on the NOW page was that of the iconic World War II heroine, Rosie the Riveter. The “We Can Do It” lady, today pictured on everything from sweatshirts to mouse pads, represents exactly the opposite of what NOW supports. Rosie the Riveter symbolizes the nationwide mobilization of women, during the Second World War, from their homes to the workplace. But, back then, they weren’t working because they felt it was more “fulfilling.” (Perhaps it was, but that wasn’t the point.) Women went to work because they supported their country. Rosie the Riveter is a figure of patriotism and loyalty—a symbol which has nothing to do with Roe v. Wade, suction devices, or embryos. For NOW to use the image is shameful. Rosie, unlike NOW, supports the Constitution.
The fact that people like Kim Gandy, NOW’s leader, don’t like John Roberts is hardly insignificant. It means that they take Roberts’ reputation—limited as it may be—seriously.
Before last night, Gandy was quoted as being worried about “a nominee along the lines of some of the extremist judges that have been put on the appellate court by George Bush." Now, following Roberts’ nomination, Gandy’s convinced she’s found her extremist. I think that tells us all we need to know about this nominee.
It is true, as some have pointed out, that Roberts’ famous brief contending that Roe should be overturned may not have captured his true opinion; Roberts, as a lawyer, was making an argument—not expressing his personal beliefs. But consider where he was working. It was not the ACLU. It was not as a clerk in Ruth Ginsburg’s office. It was in a Republican White House.
But wait, you say, Sandra Day O’Connor was a Republican! Agreed. But so were Justices Thomas, Scalia, and Rehnquist. They’ve worked out pretty well. Maybe George Bush just nominated another Souter, but it’s not likely. Souter will forever be remembered as one of the elder President Bush’s most grand missteps. His son will not repeat the error.
I would be more celebratory if it weren’t for these Democrats, mainly those named Chuck Schumer. He’s a tricky one. Lindsey Graham, hated almost universally by Republicans, called Bush’s choice “wise,” but Schumer’s holding out judgment. I’ll bet—and I know this is going out on a limb—Schumer thinks that Roberts is “out of the mainstream.” I’ll bet Schumer will have blue posters on the Senate Floor indicating just how close to Hitler Roberts really is. Maybe Kim Gandy can make a cameo—kind of like Cher on “Will & Grace.”
© Copyright 2005 by Isaiah Z. Sterrett
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