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| In their first reactions to Roberts, many of the Democrats and liberal groups resisting his selection by President Bush are trying to portray him as a threat to the economic interests of average families. The strategy — even the language — is similar to Gore's effort to frame the 2000 presidential campaign as a choice between "the people" and "the powerful." Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) thundered in his first floor statement on the nomination this week: "Americans deserve to know if nominees will be on the side of justice and individual liberties, or if they will side with powerful special interests." <snip> Ralph G. Neas, president of People for the American Way, a liberal group expected to help lead the fight against Roberts, said polling conducted by his organization found that most Americans would oppose a justice seen as too close to big business. "If John Roberts is perceived as someone who is not going to protect the rights of ordinary Americans, and will favor corporate interests, there will be a 70% majority against his nomination," Neas said. Senior White House strategists and the independent campaigns backing Roberts predict such arguments will not seriously threaten his confirmation, in part because they maintain his record is too complex to support the portrayal. They also believe Bush's two presidential victories, especially his win over Gore, have shown the limits of a class-based populist message. "A reprise of the Al Gore campaign projected onto the Supreme Court nominee five years later is just not an effective strategy," said one GOP strategist who spoke on condition of anonymity when discussing White House plans for the confirmation fight. |
| QUOTE (Uncle Joe @ Jul 23 2005, 01:13 PM) |
| especially his win over Gore, have shown the limits of a class-based populist message I think this is the best strategy to defeat Roberts, and furthermore if they think Bush actually won an election against Al, they are either clueless or liars or both. |