Liberal groups settle on "message" re Roberts
The Hill reports: A coalition of liberal special-interest groups is settling on three major criticisms of Supreme Court nominee John Roberts that it hopes will resonate with two key Democratic constituencies: African-Americans and women.
The coalition, which includes nearly 90 organizations, is organized by Ralph Neas, president of People for the American Way, whom conservatives view as the mastermind behind the opposition to President Bush’s judicial nominees.
By targeting Roberts on issues of importance to blacks and women, the interest groups will make it difficult for Democrats not to pose a strong challenge to Roberts during the Senate confirmation process. ...
Citing documents from Roberts’s service in the Reagan Justice Department and the Reagan White House, the group asserts that Roberts “argued for weakening proposed voting-rights protections,” “viewed legislation to fortify the Fair Housing Act as ‘storm clouds gather[ing]’ and ‘government intrusion,’” and “defended legislation that would have stripped the federal courts of their authority to remedy school desegregation.” -- Left group refine plans on Roberts