November 8, 2004

WITH TWO YOU GET 50%:

Spotlight on a Hispanic as Bush court nominee: Speculation on President Bush's first Supreme Court nomination focuses on White House counsel Alberto Gonzales, who would be the first Hispanic on the court. (MARIA RECIO, 11/08/04, Knight Ridder News Service)

White House counsel Alberto Gonzales, a Texan and confidant of President Bush, is suddenly the focus of speculation that he will be Bush's choice to fill a Supreme Court vacancy when it arises.

Although there is no immediate opening, Bush's election victory and the illness of Chief Justice William Rehnquist have focused attention on the near certainty of one or more openings in the next four years.

And Gonzales, 49, makes everyone's short list of Supreme Court prospects.

''We certainly think that he would be a wonderful pick for the president to make,'' said Brent Wilkes, executive director of the League of United Latin American Citizens.

``We would love to see a Hispanic on the Supreme Court.''

Hispanic organizations already are mobilizing in support of what would be the first Hispanic appointment to the court

Posted by Orrin Judd at November 8, 2004 8:32 AM
Comments

I thought I heard that GOPers and conservatives aren't thrilled about Gonzalez due to some of his previous rulings/judicial briefs. That said, elevating Thomas to chief justice and having Gonzalez take a justice spot would be a good move by Bush.

Posted by: AWW at November 8, 2004 9:12 AM

Brent Wilkes? Surely you jest...........

Posted by: ed at November 8, 2004 9:19 AM

Why accept second best? Miguel Estrada would be a two-fer. Conservative and also serve the purpose of TOKEN. If you're going to deal out slots on the Supreme Court to achieve the racial/gender balance you desire, why not actually accomplish something in the process.

Posted by: h-man at November 8, 2004 9:28 AM

Estrada is too confrontational to lead with. Get him on a lower court first.

Posted by: oj at November 8, 2004 11:01 AM

What's the worst that could happen? The left punches themselves out and he gets rejected and then Bush nominates somebody else. It will make for good TV and stir up the Republican Base for 2006.

Posted by: h-man at November 8, 2004 12:23 PM

It appears that Alberto Gonzalez may be pro-choice. In an interview several years ago, he said that he was libertarian on abortion: he is personally pro-life, but he would not legislate against it.

Posted by: Vince at November 8, 2004 2:10 PM

Vince:

So long as he'd return it to the states, and we can be certain W knows whether he would.

Posted by: oj at November 8, 2004 3:44 PM

Orrin:

Alberto Gonzalez will receive a hearing where he will be asked the abortion question. If he answers in such a ham-handed way, the Religious Right will make sure he gets defeated.

Posted by: Vince at November 8, 2004 5:43 PM

Vince:

No one answers anymore. As a political animal he'll be better at obfuscation.

Posted by: oj at November 8, 2004 7:43 PM
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