Bill Nelson: “while it is true, as many of my colleagues have pointed out, that Alberto Gonzales has chartered an impressive path, the…”

“while it is true, as many of my colleagues have pointed out, that Alberto Gonzales has chartered an impressive path, the son of migrant workers rising from humble beginnings to establish an impressive record as a judge and a lawyer, I do not cast my vote because of his life story. I cast my vote in favor of Judge Gonzales because of two reasons: I believe it is the prerogative of the President to choose who is to serve in his Cabinet, and I believe Judge Gonzales is a smart and qualified lawyer. Judge Gonzales served in the U.S. Air Force, graduated from Harvard Law School, was a partner in a prestigious law firm, a justice on the Texas Supreme Court, and the chief lawyer for Governor Bush and President Bush. As a justice on the Texas Supreme Court, I have seen evidence of his independence and commitment to the rule of law in reaching decisions on controversial issues like parental notification for a minor seeking to terminate a pregnancy. While he may oppose it personally, he was able to set those feelings aside and issue a ruling based on the law. I believe that this is the Judge Gonzales who will serve as this Nation's Attorney General.”