PFAW urges activists not to be fooled by Bush portrayal of Alito as mainstream

People For the American Way is expanding its outreach to progressive activists with an Internet ad (watch it here) designed to mobilize opposition to the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito. The ad will encourage Internet users to visit www.StopAlito.org and sign a petition opposing Alito’s confirmation.

The ad recounts troubling Alito rulings and legal positions, including his voting to uphold a strip search of a 10-year old girl without a valid warrant, his unsuccessful effort as an appeals court judge to declare a law regulating machine guns unconstitutional, and his declaration while in the Justice Department that the Constitution does not protect a woman’s right to choose an abortion. The ad includes an image of President Bush haltingly telling listeners not to be fooled.

“President Bush is trying to fool Americans into thinking that Sam Alito is a mainstream judicial nominee,” said People For the American Way Legal Director Elliot Mincberg. “We’re committed to helping Americans understand the truth about Alito’s record and his judicial philosophy – and how damaging it will be to Americans’ rights and legal protections if he is confirmed to the Supreme Court.”