Barbara Boxer: “when a seat on the Supreme Court opened in July, I made a promise to the people of California. I promised I would only…”

“when a seat on the Supreme Court opened in July, I made a promise to the people of California. I promised I would only support a nominee I believed would protect their rights and freedoms. After much thought, I have concluded that I cannot in good conscience give my constituents that assurance with the nominee we have before the Senate, Judge John Roberts. In fact, I am very worried that with Judge Roberts on the Supreme Court, the rights and freedoms that have made America a light to the rest of the world could be in serious jeopardy. The question before the Senate is not whether Judge Roberts is a brilliant lawyer and not whether he is well qualified or well spoken or affable or unflappable. He is certainly all of those. But examining his credentials is where our analysis must begin, not end. The American people understand this. In poll after poll after poll, the American people say that before we vote, it is important to know where Judge Roberts stands on key issues that define us as Americans and what kind of country we will leave behind for our children. The next Chief Justice will have the opportunity to steer a deeply divided Court and influence our lives and the lives of our families for generations.…”