Colorado Officials Speak Out On O'Connor

Statements are starting to come in from Colorado's congressional delegation regarding the resignation of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

We'll keep track below of the statements as they come in, and you can read them in their entirety by clicking on the link after the names.

1. Senator Wayne Allard
2. Rutt Bridges, Democratic candidate for governor
3. Bill Ritter, Democratic candidate for governor
4. Congressman Mark Udall
5. Senator Ken Salazar

1. From Senator Wayne Allard

Colorado U.S. Senator Wayne Allard on Friday praised retiring U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor for her years of service on the bench of our nation's highest tribunal.

"The nation owes Justice O'Connor a debt of gratitude," Senator Allard said. "In accepting a lifetime appointment as a guardian of the Constitution, Sandra Day O'Connor dedicated her life to the service of her country and the rule of law."

In addition to filling the Supreme Court vacancy, Senator Allard will continue to push for the confirmation of all of President Bush's judicial nominations, and hopes that in the upcoming debate, the Senate will move expeditiously to fulfill its obligation of advise and consent.

"As a Westerner, Justice O'Connor had an understanding of the importance of water and water law to our Western way of life," Senator Allard said. "Colorado and the West benefited from her expertise to an extraordinary degree. I will ask the President to nominate a Supreme Court justice with experience in Western resource law."

"It is my hope that the deliberative process for confirming a new nominee to the court is treated with great respect. In addition, I urge my colleagues in the Senate to act expeditiously once the President forwards the nomination to the Senate," Senator Allard said.

2. From Rutt Bridges, Demcoratic candidate for governor:

Upon hearing of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s plans to retire, Rutt Bridges said, “I hope Justice O’Connor’s replacement is a coalition builder who will put personal freedom and liberty above of all else. I believe in personal freedom and choice, and that the government has no place interfering in people’s private lives. I congratulate Justice O’Connor on her distinguished career.”


3. From Bill Ritter, Democratic candidate for governor:

Sandra Day O’Connor has served our country well as an analytical and fair minded Supreme Court Justice. It is important to recognize Justice O’Connor as a pioneer who has advanced women’s role as leaders by becoming the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court. She has been an especially strong leader on the court demonstrated by her thoughtful opinions, which have been guided by the Constitution and the law, not politics. Justice O’Connor has made upholding the law her highest value and I share that value as an attorney and as a candidate for Governor of Colorado.

A reading of Justice O’Connor’s opinions shows that overall she has made upholding the law her highest value, and that is the most important consideration in naming her replacement. It will not be easy to replace her as a powerful legal mind, a balanced leader and a pioneer. But, I encourage President Bush to work hard to do just that. He should nominate a candidate in the spirit of Justice O’Connor, one who has a proven and committed legal mind, who will be able to evaluate cases from various legal perspectives and who will form opinions that are balanced and informed.

4. From Congressman Mark Udall:

"Justice O'Connor has been a leader on the Court and a pioneering figure in American law. Her departure leaves a significant void, particularly as a voice of moderation and as an independent-minded Westerner. I hope President Bush will carefully consider her legacy in nominating someone to fill her seat. It would be a serious mistake to ignore her legacy, particularly in areas of family law and civil rights.

On a personal note, my family has shared a friendship with Justice O'Connor for many years, and I am very grateful for the many courtesies she has extended to me. She has been willing to spend time with students from my district when they visit Washington as a part of my annual youth seminar. She was incredibly generous with her time, knowledge, and encouragement. Justice O'Connor's stories about the challenges in her professional career were particularly inspirational to the young women in our group. She was always very kind in her praise of my father, Mo. They shared a love of the West, and our landscapes.

I am sure Justice O'Connor's departure from the Court will not mean an end to her active involvement in the law and public life. She is owed a debt of gratitude for her services to our country."

5. From Senator Ken Salazar:

“I congratulate Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor on her announcement that she will retire from the United States Supreme Court. When Justice O’Connor was appointed, she became the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court in the Court’s 191 year history. Indeed, she blazed the path for women everywhere to positions of power and authority in the legal and other professions.

Even more significantly, Justice O’Connor has served the American people with distinction, courage and honor for twenty four years, deciding many important issues that affect our lives every day. I salute Justice O’Connor for her service to the nation.

I look forward to very careful and full deliberations in the Senate to examine the qualifications of any eventual nominee in fulfilling the Senate’s constitutional duty to advise the President and give consent to the nomination. It is my hope that the President will follow through with his pledge to consult with the Senate to ensure the selection of a nominee that Coloradans and the nation can welcome and be confirmed with strong bipartisan support.”

Comments

[kletaurus]

Welcome to the party Mr. Bill!

[jn]

State GOP just released one. Its on their website.

[WTF]

Rutt wants a coalition builder on SCOTUS? I think he's got his branches mixed up. Does he know what a Justice does?

And I see he went straight for the abortion litumus test.

[WTF is lost...]

A little touchy WTF, I read the Bridges statement and it doesn't mention abortion at all.

As for your knowledge of the supreme court and coalition building... ever heard of Earl Warren?

"Warren joined the Court in the midst of one of its most important issues: racial segregation in public schools. The new Chief proved an effective leader (unlike his predecessor) by bringing the Brethren from division to unanimity on the issue of racial equality." -- Jerry Goldman, Historian

Drop the spin and remember the foundation of our democracy.

[RealityCheck]

Get real WTF, if you think the justices don't argue and build coalitions on the court then you need to get out more. Leadership always matters.

[Branches?]

WTF is waaaaay off. Forget Earl Warren (well, don't, but you know what I mean). What about the Chief of Chief Justices--John Marshall?

I would contend, sir, that it is *you* who have your branches mixed up, not to mention your knowledge of Supreme Court history.

[ziik]

Earl Warren did some very noble things, in the wrong brach of government. Laws are created in our system by elected officials not appointed ones, but whatever

[ziik]

Earl Warren did some very noble things, in the wrong brach of government. Laws are created in our system by elected officials not appointed ones, but whatever

[Phoenix Rising]

I notice Salazar's statement covers the little-remembered portion of the Compromise 14: that Bush should consult the Senate during his decision-making.

Everyone is wondering if the Democrats will "break their pledge" over Bush's SCOTUS appointment; I'd say they're within the bounds of the agreement to do so if Bush continues on without that consultation, and I'd say Salazar was laying the early groundwork for that potential occurence.