Elliot Mincberg Quotations

It is hard to think, as I sit here, of examples of decisions that appear to be Gonzales making decisions on his own, as opposed to his status of defender of the administration and the White House. His role doesn't seem that much different than his role serving as White House counsel, only now he has a much larger staff.

A judge's own values and perspectives on cases cannot help but have a major influence,

You never want a situation where someone has a veto power, ... But having parents at the front end, serving on an advisory committee ... can be extremely useful and actually insulate districts against attacks on books because parents have been involved.

Is there a right to privacy under the Constitution? If so, what does it cover?' These are the broad questions senators must ask, ... You cannot ask a question that encompasses all possible disputes, but you can get a pretty good view of a nominee's philosophy. The American people have made clear they want to know what the nominees think of the basic principle of Roe v. Wade, and they've made it clear they expect nominees to answer questions.

'Is there a right to privacy under the Constitution? If so, what does it cover?' These are the broad questions senators must ask, ... You cannot ask a question that encompasses all possible disputes, but you can get a pretty good view of a nominee's philosophy. The American people have made clear they want to know what the nominees think of the basic principle of Roe v. Wade, and they've made it clear they expect nominees to answer questions.

The Senate is supposed to give advice and consent, and not be a shut-up, rubber-stamp body,

Choosing somebody who is not a judge would put that much more of a premium on straight answers to questions because there would be that much less for senators and the public to go on when looking at such a nominee's judicial philosophy,

It tremendously raises the stakes. Now he'll be in a position (as chief justice) to influence the direction of the court for the next 30 years.

When it comes to the rights of women, he is particularly troubling.

If I had to pick three overall areas: civil rights, access to justice and, I think, privacy.