Supreme Court nominations

Nomination on Track, Sotomayor Hearings Set to Begin July 13th

In response to the announcement of the confirmation hearings for Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, People For the American Way President Michael B. Keegan had the following statement: "Today's announcement is a clear sign that Judge Sonia Sotomayor is on track to be confirmed to the Supreme Court. Judge Sotomayor is an eminently qualified nominee, and the misguided efforts by some prominent Republicans and their right-wing allies to smear her have failed."

Statement by African American Ministers in Action Chair Rev. Tim McDonald

In the days following President Barack Obama's nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to replace retiring Justice David Souter on the Supreme Court, the right-wing has hurled false, partisan-fueled attacks of incompetence and "reverse racism," as they strategize on how to oppose a nominee with more federal judicial experience than anyone currently serving on the Court. In response to President Obama's nomination of Judge Sotomayor, and the false right-wing attacks, Rev.

PFAW Statement on Nomination of Sonia Sotomayor

In reponse to the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. People For the American Way President Michael B. Keegan said, "President Obama has made a superb choice. Judge Sotomayor has one of the sharpest intellects on the federal bench. She's shown that she'll bring an open mind to the Court and rule on each case according to its particular merits. This nomination is good news for people who care about the future of our rights and liberties. Now it's up to our Senators to avoid the distraction of attacks from the far right and work for a smooth, fair confirmation process.

Right Wing Follows Deceptive Script On Supreme Court

A day after news of Justice Souter's planned resignation broke in the news, "dozens" of right-wing leaders representing more than 60 groups got together for a strategy call organized in part by the Judicial Confirmation Network to get everyone fired up and on message. All you need to know about the credibility of this campaign's leaders, and the credibility of their evaluations of potential nominees, is contained in this one sentence from the Judicial Confirmation Network's Wendy Long: "The current Supreme Court is a liberal, judicial activist court."

Right's Objections to Potential Justices Reveal Anti-Gay Bigotry

Among the attacks launched by right-wing leaders against potential nominees for the Supreme Court have been suggestions that an openly gay Supreme Court Justice would be unacceptable. People For the American Way President Michael B. Keegan responded with the following statement: "Let’s be clear. Opposing a Supreme Court nominee because of his or her sexual orientation is inappropriate and unacceptable."

Obama Has Historic Opportunity to Establish Legacy of Justice

In response to the news that Justice David Souter will retire from the Supreme Court at the end of the Court's current term, People For the American Way president Michael B. Keegan issued the following statement: "President Barack Obama has the first real opportunity to establish a legacy that will extend far beyond his presidency. He made the Supreme Court a major feature of his campaign and won a strong mandate in November. He has expanded upon his mandate in his first 100 days and should now make a bold choice for the Supreme Court."

Justice Souter to Retire from Supreme Court

In response to media reports that indicate Justice David Souter will retire from the Supreme Court at the end of the Court's current term, Marge Baker, Executive Vice President at People For the American Way issued the following statement: "America owes a debt of gratitude to Justice Souter for his service. Justice Souter has shown a deep understanding not only of the law, but of the implications the Court's decisions have in the real world. He has been an important voice against ideological extremism. To fill Justice Souter's seat on the Court, President Obama should nominate someone who can continue his work to defend our personal freedoms and ensure that every person has equal access to justice. In November, President Obama was given a mandate to appoint federal judges who are committed to our core constitutional values of justice, equality, and opportunity for all. That is exactly what he should do."

Television Ads Focus on Senators' Support for Harmful Bush Supreme Court Justices

TV ads airing this week in Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Oregon focus on the harmful impact of key senators' votes to confirm Bush nominees Samuel Alito and John Roberts to the U.S. Supreme Court and urges them to stop supporting bad judges.

The End of Choice?

Nov. 4 could be the beginning of the end for the right to choose. In this video, we lay out some scary math.

Ads Focus Spotlight on Fair Pay, Supreme Court

As part of its ongoing efforts to educate Americans about the importance of the Supreme Court , the People For the American Way Action Fund today announced a series of ads focusing attention on the confirmation of Samuel Alito and its impact on fair pay for women. The ads, which are now airing, urge Americans to demand fair minded jurists and oppose judicial nominees who obstruct equal pay for women.

McCain Brags about His Support of Bush Judges

In response to a question today in Lima, OH, Senator John McCain turned the subject to the Supreme Court and bragged about his support of George W. Bush's nominees to the Supreme Court. In response, People For the American Way president Kathryn Kolbert said, "It's clear that John McCain is trying to polish his anti-choice credentials by highlighting his support for George W. Bush's judges."

PFAW Ads Target Sununu’s Record on Judges

People For the American Way will begin running radio ads next week in New Hampshire focusing on Senator John Sununu’s support of George Bush's ulta-conservative nominees to the Supreme Court, and releasing a web video with the same theme.

Why Is Norm Coleman so Proud of Putting John Roberts on the Supreme Court?

After Senator Norm Coleman bragged to the Minnesota GOP convention about the supposedly crucial role he played in winning confirmation for Chief Justice John Roberts, People For the American Way President Kathryn Kolbert said “It’s hard to believe that Norm Coleman is actually taking credit for putting Chief Justice Roberts on the Supreme Court. Under Roberts, the Supreme Court has voted to: deny equal pay to a woman who was paid less than the men in her factory, strike down voluntary integration plans for public schools that wanted to bring black and white students together, uphold a ban on an abortion procedure with no exception for the health of the woman, and deny free speech protections to internal government whistle-blowers.

McCain Sticks to Bush Script on Judges

Sen. John McCain’s speech about judges today stuck to the script written by right-wing ideologues and followed by President George W. Bush. People For the American Way President Kathryn Kolbert said, "Here’s what McCain was really telling the party base: If you liked George W. Bush’s nominees, you’re going to love the judges John McCain will put on the bench."