Conservative Opposition to Gonzales Supreme Court Nomination Wavers in Face of Bush's Plea

President George W. Bush's plea for unity on the Supreme Court nomination process has not swayed the stance of conservative opponents like Paul Weyrich and Phyllis Schlafly, who reject Attorney General Alberto Gonzales due to his perceived liberal views on issues such as abortion and judicial activism. Despite Bush's personal appeal, these critics remain unconvinced, arguing that Gonzales would disrupt the balance of the court and bring about a liberal interpretation of laws.

Key Takeaways:

• Paul Weyrich, CEO of the Free Congress Foundation, and Phyllis Schlafly, founder of the Eagle Forum, are two prominent conservatives who have expressed opposition to Gonzales' nomination, citing concerns about his stance on abortion and judicial activism.
• Weyrich has stated that he could not explain to his supporters why he would support a nominee who has taken the kind of positions Gonzales has, particularly regarding Roe v. Wade.
• Schlafly has described Gonzales as a "supremacist judge" who would enforce the law of the land as he sees fit, disregarding the separation of powers in the US Constitution.
• The opposition from conservative groups, such as the American Family Association and Focus on the Family, stems from concerns about Gonzales' views on abortion, particularly his statement that Roe v. Wade is the law of the land.
• The right-wing response to Bush's plea for unity is divided, with some groups willing to back the nominee, while others remain critical of Gonzales' qualifications.

Statistics:

• The Supreme Court has had 11 years without a vacancy before O'Connor's retirement, which has sparked intense lobbying efforts from both the left and right sides of the political aisle.
• The federal government has spent millions of dollars on advertising and lobbying efforts related to Supreme Court appointments in the past decade.
• Gonzales has been under scrutiny for his role as White House counsel during the Bush administration, particularly in regards to the memo on prisoner treatment that was used in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Sources:

• USA Today
• The Washington Post
• The Associated Press