July 28, 2005

Street Talk by Carol Rosen

What process do you think the Senate will take to approve President Bush’s nominee, John Roberts, to the Supreme Court? What are the most important Supreme Court issues for you?
(Asked at Almaden Center)

“I don’t think either side will carry on with shenanigans. I think there will be a thorough investigation by both sides. Anyone who is nominated for that position is usually thoroughly investigated and should be for such a key position in government. Overall, I would say the biggest hot button for me is that the person is a moderate like Sandra Day O’Connor or someone who thinks issues through very thoroughly. I think it’s important to take all the objective factors into consideration before making a decision. I don’t want to see a person on the court that is being ruled by extreme views in either direction.”

Helene Eichler
Almaden / High-tech marketing manager


“I think the Senate will approve him and that most people feel he will do a good job. I feel that we need to honor our country more. We need to salute the flag and pray in school if we want to. We need to be able to show that we love our country.”

Pat Thorne, 66
Watsonville / Retired


“I think usually that shenanigans go on when there are hearings to approve a government nominee. Everything is so political that it’s hard to ensure the right person gets selected. I feel sorry for these people that are selected [as a nominee] and have to go through the approval process. On the other hand, I don’t know of any other approval process that would work in a two-party legislature. I think the most important issue is that the court and the government continue to eliminate discrimination. The court should work to eliminate discrimination in the workplace, in our lives and in our laws. It’s important to have laws in place to deter discrimination anywhere in this country.”

George Comin, 67
Almaden / Retired


“It will not be a quick and easy process. I know that at least one California senator, Diane Feinstein, discussed how she was going to interview him. I don’t think that the Senate approves people easily. I expect both sides to be disappointed whether its John Roberts or someone else. This nominee is more a ‘middle-of-the-line’ type judge. I think that it’s important to please so many different sides that people who are more in the middle are chosen, and this boosts everyone’s approval ratings. I believe that the hot-button topic in the next few years will be privacy laws. If these don’t meet my approval, I’ll just move.”

Katie Thompson, 18
Almaden / Student at Salve Regina University in Rhode Island


“He’s a Republican, right? I think some Democrats will help push him through. But I think it will be a long process. I don’t think he supports Roe vs. Wade. I don’t have any real hot button issues, but I will miss Sandra Day O’Connor. I actually met her once, and I also did a report on her.”

Kristin Kish, 39
Almaden / Customer service representative


“I think it will be a quick and easy process because of his academic credentials. He graduated at the top of his class at Harvard Law. The Senate already awarded him a seat in the appellate court. It will be difficult for them not to approve him because he doesn’t have any baggage. I think Roe vs. Wade is safe, even if Roberts is a conservative judge, because it would be the end of the Republican party if they got rid of it. I also think the war on terrorism will affect our privacy. It comes down to privacy versus security, which is a big debate. ”

Connie Schein, 58
Almaden / Writer