Conservatives are told it will not be Gonzales (The Hill)
White House officials have assured select conservative leaders that they will not nominate Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to the Supreme Court to replace retiring Associate Justice Sandra Day O̢۪Connor, according to a conservative familiar with the behind-the-scenes discussions.
The message has filtered out to conservative activists that Gonzales, whom many activists believe would be too liberal on abortion and racial preference issues, is no longer a threat to their cause. That could portend a fierce battle in the Senate in September, as Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) has said Gonzales would be a qualified nominee, suggesting that his selection could have achieved bipartisan consensus.
Senior administration officials have told select conservative leaders that President Bush is likely to nominate either Edith Jones or Edith Clement, members of the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the conservative source said. It is also possible that would nominate Michigan Supreme Court Justice Maura Corrigan or former Texas Supreme Court Justice Priscilla Owen, whom the Senate recently confirmed to the 5th Circuit.
If this report is accurate, Gonzales didn’t have a chance, having the misfortune of being born a man. While these women are almost certainly well qualified, the idea that O’Connor’s should forever more be “a woman’s seat” is insulting. We should be well beyond the point where tokenism is necessary.
Of course, as Michelle Malkin documents, the SCOUTUS rumors are flying fast at the moment.
Joe Gandelman believes Gonzales would have gotten the nod had Chief Justice Rehnquist provided a second opening, and still may get an appointment down the road. Angry Clam hopes not.
Alexander K. McClure would be happy with any of the women over Gonzales.
