Day Three: Roberts Continues to Dodge Fair Questions on Fundamental Freedoms, Privacy

"Anti-choice groups and talking heads that want to see Roe v. Wade overturned continue to cheer John Roberts' non-responses to questions on a woman's right to choose. This unwavering support from those who know John Roberts best shows they believe they can count on him to roll back women's reproductive freedom," Keenan said.

Note to Reporters: Please see a compilation of statements from anti-choice organizations supporting Roberts from print and broadcast interviews.

What Do They Know That We Don't?

As John Roberts continues to dodge questions on whether the constitutional right to privacy includes a woman's right to choose, his anti-choice supporters continue to cheer his nomination.

Jay Sekulow, Executive Director of American Center for Law Justice
"As someone who takes a pro-life position, I was extremely pleased with the answers he [Roberts] gave."
Nominee Distances Himself From Reagan-Era Writings, Washington Post, September 14, 2004

Jay Sekulow, Executive Director of American Center for Law Justice
Pat Roberts: "This will mean judges though, that will be willing to go back and make it right, which means that you have got to over turn some of the stare decisis, is he prepared to do that?"
Jay: "I think there is no question." ". . . I think what John Roberts is doing is laying out the case for how you review precedent, and I am very, very comfortable with how he has done it."
700 Club, September 14, 2005

Ted Olsen, 42nd Solicitor General of the United States
Q: " . . . he outlined that there are circumstances where precedent is reversed"
A: "Yes. And it's clear from what he said, he acknowledges the fact the Supreme Court sometimes changes its mind. It did in Brown v. Board of Education he mentioned that, he regards those decisions as precedents of the Supreme Court but they are not inviolate."
The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, September 13, 2005

Wendy Long, Judicial Confirmation Network
"He certainly left the door open to overturning any case that is incorrect under the Constitution."
Roberts smoothes rough edges of conservative philosophy, The Associated Press, September 13, 2005

Cathy Cleaver Ruse, Family Research Council
"Specifically we were pleased with Judge Roberts' answers about Roe v. Wade. Judge Roberts refused to give hints or projections about how he might evaluate a future abortion case before the Court, but carefully stated what the law is on the matter of stare decisis and repeatedly pledged to follow the rule of law. Also, in questions about the issue of privacy, Judge Roberts explained that the Constitution in numerous areas addresses protections for privacy."
FRC Applauds John Roberts' Roe v. Wade Response, Press Release, September 13, 2005

Gary L. Bauer, Chairman of American Values
"When you read his words carefully, there is reason to be encouraged."
Abortion Is Focus As Both Sides Spin Nominee's Words, Hartford Courant, September 14, 2005

LifeNews.com
Roberts, named by President Bush to replace pro-life Chief Justice William Rehnquist, one of two dissenters in Roe, said he supports the notion of a right to privacy. However, it again provided no indication as to whether he thought that right included a right to abortion.
John Roberts Talks About Abortion During Senate Judiciary Hearing, LifeNews.com, September 13, 2005

Pro-life groups say they're confident Roberts will uphold Constitutional principles, which don't show any right to abortion in the founding document.
John Roberts Talks About Abortion During Senate Judiciary Hearing, LifeNews.com, September 13, 2005

John Roberts Provides Basis for Reversing Roe v. Wade Abortion Case
John Roberts Provides Basis for Reversing Roe v. Wade Abortion Case, LifeNews.com, September 13, 2005

Contact:
Ted Miller, 202.973.3032