Patrick Leahy: “For the most part, this has been a substantive debate. Actually, it has been a necessary debate. Now, partisans on the…”

“For the most part, this has been a substantive debate. Actually, it has been a necessary debate. Now, partisans on the other side of the aisle at times have tried to smear anyone who has voiced concern about this nomination, notwithstanding that anyone who listened to the statements of those of us who oppose this nomination know that each of us has praised the journey Alberto Gonzales and his family have taken. I am a grandson of immigrants who came to this country not even speaking the language, so I have unbounded respect for all that he and his family have accomplished. In fact, I am the first Leahy to get a college degree; my sister is the second. So I applaud anybody who takes such a journey. On Tuesday, the Senate heard from Senators Feinstein, Schumer, Kennedy, Mikulski, Dayton, and Stabenow. Yesterday, the debate on this side of the aisle included eloquent and powerful statements by Senators Byrd, Durbin, Jack Reed, and Jeffords, all stating their reasons for opposing this nomination on the merits. No one should be accusing these Senators of doing anything except their constitutional duty.”