August 12, 2005
Honorable Harry Reid
Office of the Democratic Leader
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Reid,
The abortion rights group NARAL has launched a desperate smear attack on Supreme Court nominee John Roberts based on lies and distortions of his record. Individuals and organizations across the entire political spectrum have criticized the group for the misleading TV ad it is now running, but so far Democratic Party leaders have been silent on the issue, giving the appearance of putting politics before principle.
There is no question that the ad is inaccurate and unfair. Factcheck.org, a project of the non-partisan Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania, issued a lengthy statement calling the ad false and misleading. Walter Dellinger, who served as acting solicitor general to President Clinton, stated of the ad: "It is not fair to characterize Judge Roberts' brief or argument in any way as a position that would excuse violence any kind."
Even longtime pro-choice activist and leader Frances Kissling reacted negatively, saying she was "deeply upset and offended by the ad, as a pro-choice person, I don't like being placed on the defensive by my leaders. NARAL should pull it and move on."
Judge Roberts' record makes clear that he has never condoned or supported the bombing of abortion clinics. While a lawyer in the Reagan administration he wrote a memo arguing that abortion protestors who resort to violence deserve no special treatment or considerations for pardon. "No matter how lofty or sincerely held the goal, those who resort to violence to achieve it are criminals," he wrote.
We were very disappointed to see Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) actually defend this vicious NARAL ad and repeat NARAL's false accusation against Judge Roberts. We were further disheartened to see her issue an abortion litmus test for Judge Roberts as well, when many in both parties have disavowed such litmus tests.
It is time for Democrats of good faith to take a stand against this type of sleaze. We call on party leaders to publicly condemn these attacks and assure the American people that the confirmation process will not be hijacked by special interest groups looking to turn inflammatory and misleading rhetoric into expanded visibility and donations to fill their coffers.
Judicial Confirmation Network
Committee for Justice
Coalition for a Fair Judiciary
Family Research Council
National Legal and Policy Center
Traditional Values Coalition
American Family Association
Americans for Tax Reform
Third Branch Conference
Project 21
Restore America
Faith2Action
Center for Jewish Values
Individual Rights Foundation
Center for a Just Society
Russell Johnson, Chairman,
President, RightMarch.com
Center for Moral Clarity
Gerard Health Foundation
Culture of Life Foundation
National Institute of Family and Life Advocates
Daly & Associates
Glenn Mortgage Service Inc
American Family Association of Pennsylvania
Ohio Restoration Project
Christian Consultants for America
Center for American Cultural Renewal
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