Here we go, the
"respectful of precedent" offensive begins with Alito:
Alito's associates and independent legal analysts who know his record say a Justice Alito would be reluctant to use that power [to overturn precedent], even in such areas as abortion, in which the court's past rulings are most controversial.
"If he learned anything from me, he learned the value of stare decisis ," said Judge Leonard I. Garth, a Nixon appointee on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit for whom Alito, 55, served as a law clerk in 1976-77 -- and later joined as a colleague on the court.
But Garth added: "If what you're thinking is 'Would Sam overrule Roe ?' -- he would not. He might have restrictions and limitations, but it is a precedent he'd honor. As a previous mentor and as a present colleague, I don't think he'll overrule it."
All right then. Now, I want to hear what James Dobson, Pat Robertson, Sam Brownback, Ed Whelan and all the rest have to say to that. Do they still strongly support Alito if they believe this is true? REAL reporters would go to each and every one of these folks and ask them point blank. That will be MY litmus test as to whether to take this seriously. If they are ok with him anyway, then my suspicions are very much heightened. If they scream, then maybe I'll start to believe.
We'll see.
