Dick Lugar: “I do not view our Federal courts as the forum for resolving political disputes. That is why I believe our confirmation…”

“I do not view our Federal courts as the forum for resolving political disputes. That is why I believe our confirmation decisions should not be based on partisan considerations, much less on how we hope or predict a given judicial nominee will vote on a particular issue of public moment or controversy. I have instead tried to evaluate judicial candidates on whether they have the requisite intelligence, experience, character, and temperament that America deserves from their judges and also on whether they indeed appreciate the vital, yet vitally limited role of the Federal judiciary faithful to interpret and apply our laws rather than seeking to impose their own policy views. I support Judge Hamilton's nomination and do so enthusiastically because he is superbly qualified under both sets of criteria.”