Progressive Groups Fear Radical Right Supreme Court Shift if Alito Confirmed

Interview with Marjorie Cohn, professor at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, conducted by Scott Harris

The withdrawal of Harriet Miers, President Bush's first nominee to fill the Supreme Court seat being vacated by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, demonstrated the power of Bush's Christian conservative base, who were very unhappy with his choice. Well-organized and campaigning hard for a Supreme Court nominee in the mold of Justices Antonin Scalia or Clarence Thomas, the movement was elated with President Bush's second choice, Samuel Alitio. Alito, a judge serving 15 years on the Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia, has been nicknamed by some, "Scalia-Lite" or "Scalito" for his judicial kinship with Justice Scalia.

But, progressive groups concerned about the balance of a new post-O'Connor Court, are alarmed by Alito's opposition to reproductive rights, including his 1991 decision supporting a Pennsylvania law requiring women to notify their spouses when seeking an abortion. Progressive groups are also troubled by Alito's record on race and sex discrimination, corporate power, police abuse, civil liberties and gun control.

Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Marjorie Cohn, professor at Thomas Jefferson School of Law and president-elect of the National Lawyers Guild. She discusses how Judge Alito, if confirmed, could radically alter U.S. law on a wide range of issues, and the prospects of a Democratic filibuster in the Senate.

Contact the National Lawyers Guild at (212) 627-2656 or visit their website at www.nlg.org

Related links:

People for the American Way: (202) 467-4999 or at www.pfaw.org NOW at (202) 628-8669 or at www.now.org

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