Political Quotes

“I rise to speak in support of Edward Chen, nominee for Federal judgeship in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. Judge Chen has been a respected Federal magistrate judge for over 8 years. He is held in high regard by his judicial colleagues and by the attorneys, litigants, and witnesses who have appeared before him, including non partisan prosecutors and law enforcement officials. Judge Chen has issued hundreds of rulings in accordance with the rule of law, and without bias or unfairness. He has facilitated the fair settlement of hundreds of cases, ranging from complex business disputes to civil rights claims. For these reasons, Judge Chen received the highest possible rating of ``well qualified'' from the American Bar Association. Given his wide support from the legal community, and his record of fairness, what could prevent the U.S. Senate from confirming this outstanding jurist's appointment to the District Court of the Northern District of California? I am in the opinion that nothing should prevent it. But elements of the extremist media have launched cynical attacks against Judge Chen. Unarmed by facts, accusers resort to tired smears that Judge Chen is a ``radical leftist,'' someone ``who doesn't appear to love America.'' But these charges are completely without basis.”