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Jan 25, 2006 6:29 pm US/Mountain
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Salazar Says He Won't Filibuster Alito
DENVER (AP) ―
Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar said Wednesday that he will not try to block the confirmation of Judge Samuel Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court, although he still plans to vote against President Bush's pick to succeed retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
Salazar has said he fears Alito, a judge on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, would weaken civil rights laws and support giving the president too much authority.
In a news conference, Salazar, a Democrat, said he was convinced not to filibuster Alito because of the judge's stellar academic record and strong support from his colleagues.
"I don't believe the president made the wisest choice for America with his selection," Salazar said. Instead of nominating someone who would unite the country, he said Bush chose "a person who will bring division."
He added that with Alito's confirmation, the country will have fewer women on the court than last century, a step backward in the fight for equal rights for all.
Senators this week are debating Alito's confirmation. At last count, all of the Democrats but one have announced they plan to vote against him.
Colorado's Republican Sen. Wayne Allard plans to vote for Alito. In a statement, he said Alito supports limits on the power of the judiciary and the president and understands legal issues important to the West, such as water rights, the environment and public lands.
"It would be unfortunate and irresponsible for any of my Senate colleagues to continue to politicize the judicial confirmation process," Allard said, referring to Democratic opposition. "Judge Alito is eminently qualified, and he deserves a swift up-or-down vote."
Salazar says he does not know whether other Democrats will try to block the vote. He says if they do, he will call a meeting of the so-called "Gang of 14." Last year, Salazar joined the bipartisan group of moderate senators to help prevent a showdown between Republicans and Democrats over Bush's judicial appointments.
On Wednesday, Salazar offered few clues about what he thinks would make a judge worthy of a filibuster. Asked if he would have tried to block one of the current Supreme Court justices, he said he wasn't sure.
Justice Clarence Thomas "is an abomination when you contrast him to the leadership and principles of someone like Thurgood Marshall," Salazar said. "But I don't know what I would have done if I had been in the position of senator" when Thomas was nominated.
Thomas, the court's only black justice, is a strident conservative. Marshall, the first black justice, was a strong voice for civil rights.
(© 2006 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)