The Washington Post points out in tomorrow’s edition:
While serving in the Reagan and Bush administrations … Roberts argued against affirmative-action quotas and other civil rights remedies that conservatives regarded as reverse discrimination, and he expressed deep skepticism about what he called the “so-called right to privacy” that underpins the constitutional right to abortion.
As I’ve argued here a number of times, the White House should be defending, even celebrating, this record instead of trying to hide it or minimize it.
And at least one person agrees:
“They should be embracing those memos,” said Bruce Fein, who worked with Roberts in the Reagan Justice Department. “They are squandering the opportunity to move public perception.”
Bush and Alberto Gonzalez basically wrote Sandra Day O’Connor’s “OK to ignore 14th amendment – use race as a “factor” – “diversity” more important than individual rights” ruling in the Grutter decision FOR HER, in their amicus curaie. Of COURSE Bush disagrees with Roberts on racial preferences, if Roberts opposes them.
“”They should be embracing those memos,”
Well now they’re not only embracing, they’re holding on tight:
Roberts Papers Being Delayed
Bush Aides Screen Pages for Surprises.
How does this comport with the Bush’s administrations two most prominent African American appointments, Condi Rice and Colin Powell, who SUPPORT Affirmative Action? What message would be sent to them if these anti-affirmative action memos are released to the public? Granted, there is a large population of white Americans who would celebrate such a release, but that’s nothing new or surprising given America’s history and current structure.
–Cobra