WW Special Edition - "The Roberts Hearings"
WW Special Edition - "The Roberts Hearings"
Washington Week Show - WWSE0104C1 - WW Special Edition "The Roberts Hearings" Host Gwen Ifill, guests include Jeanne Cummings and Gloria Borger.
WW Special Edition - "The Roberts Hearings"
Gwen Ifill presents some context and background to Justice John Robert's personality and his personal interests.
WW Special Edition - "The Roberts Hearings"
JOHN ROBERTS: I think judges do have to appreciate that they're dealing with real people with real cases. We obviously deal with documents, and texts, the Constitution, the statutes, the legislative history and that's where the legal decisions are made. But judges never lose sight, or should never lose sight of the fact that their decisions effect real people with real lives and I appreciate that.
WW Special Edition - "The Roberts Hearings"
Roderick Jackson Ensley High School Coach says "I came to Washington for the argument, it was truly a thrill. I felt that Justice O'Connor was looking straight at me right in the court room. In her opinion she said by prohibiting retaliation against those who protest discrimination is essential to realizing the goals of the law. This decision and my involvement in this case had a significant impact on me and I hope on others as well. The courts decision sends the message that teachers and others like me can stand up for what is right when we've recognized discrimination and bring it forward without being penalized as a result. (Chairman Arlen Specter seen listening) Like Judge Roberts, I have a son and a daughter and I will insist at every turn that my daughter have equal citizenship rights with her brother. But, as I have learned the hard way sometimes you need help from the Supreme Court to make sure you can do that."
WW Special Edition - "The Roberts Hearings"
Back in the studio with Gwen Ifill, Jeanne Cummings and Gloria Borger.
WW Special Edition - "The Roberts Hearings"
Senator CHARLES SCHUMER: What kind of Justice will John Roberts be? Will you be a truly modest, temperate, careful judge in the tradition of Harlin, Jackson, Frankfurter and Friendly. Will you be a very conservative judge who will impede congressional prerogatives, but does not use the bench to remake society like Justice Rehnquist. Or, will you use your enormous talents to use the court to turn back a near century of progress and create the majority that justices Scalia and Thomas could not achieve. That's the question that we on the Committee will have to grapple with this week. JOHN ROBERTS: I've tried to be as fully expansive as I can be and drawn the line where as a practical matter I think it's necessary and appropriate. The basic question Senator Feinstein, Senator Schumer what kind of a Justice would I be, that is the judgment you have to make. I would begin I think if I were in your shoes with what kind of a judge I've been. I appreciate that it's only been a little more than two years, but you do have fifty opinions, you can look at those. Senator Schumer, I don't think that you can read those opinions and say that these are the opinions of an idealog. You may think that they're not enough, you may think you need more of a sample, that's your judgment. But, I think if you've looked at what I've done since I took the judicial oath that should convince you that I'm not an idealog and you and I agree that that's not the sort of person we want on the Supreme Court.
WW Special Edition - "The Roberts Hearings"
Back in the studio with Gwen Ifill, Jeanne Cummings and Gloria Borger.
WW Special Edition - "The Roberts Hearings"
Senator SAM BROWNBACK: Judge Roberts this will be my last chance to interact with you at this way, I do commend you and I also just note too that a lot of hope and prayers are riding on you from a lot of people from across this country and around the world. It's just an incredible important time with so many big issues that I think I can speak for millions of people in saying that, so god speed to you and your family.
WW Special Edition - "The Roberts Hearings"
Back in the studio with Gwen Ifill, Jeanne Cummings and Gloria Borger.
WW Special Edition - "The Roberts Hearings"
Gwen Ifill signs off/Credits roll