Kay Bailey Hutchison: “I have never seen a case in which a person who is totally qualified, a person who has shown integrity on the bench, and…”

“I have never seen a case in which a person who is totally qualified, a person who has shown integrity on the bench, and who has the academic credentials to be a great Federal judge would be turned down for, really, I think a litmus test on issues. In the past administration--the Clinton administration--I voted for a number of judges with whom I disagreed philosophically, judges who I knew would rule differently from what I thought would be the 'right vote' on the court. But I tried to see what their qualifications were. I certainly tried to see if they would be strict constructionists to the Constitution, if they would adhere to the law rather than be traditional judicial activists. I voted for people with whom I disagreed many times. Today, I don't think that could be said for members of the Judiciary Committee. I am told there has never been a nominee who had the unanimous qualified recommendation from the American Bar Association and the support of both home State Senators who has been turned down for a traditional nomination.”