Sessions: I Could Support Pro-Choice Or Gay Supreme Court Nominee (VIDEO)

Social conservatives were likely none-to-pleased on Wednesday, when the new ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Jeff Sessions, said that he could see himself voting for a pro-choice nominee for the Supreme Court.

In an appearance on Fox News, the Alabama Republican said he did not "believe in a litmus test," and was comfortable with a judge who had "a different view on abortion than I have." Such a judge, he added, could "still receive my vote."

Asked, specifically, if a pro-choice nominee would could potentially get his backing once he or she was brought to the committee, Sessions replied: "yes"

"I would like to know how they analyze the logic behind Roe vs. Wade," he said. "If they are faithful to the law, then we can get along pretty well."

The jurisprudence and politics of the senator's remarks provide two very interesting and different story lines. For starters, Sessions could (and probably will) qualify his remark by saying he would only support a pro-choice Supreme Court nominee who believed that the topic should be addressed by the states. Indeed, Sessions added, at the end of his Fox News appearance that "the question would be whether they are activist or not."

Politically, however, it's hard to see how the social conservatives who get so geared up for nomination fights find comfort in one of the most influential Republicans in this battle ceding such ground.

UPDATE: It extends beyond the abortion debates.

Earlier in the day, Sessions said he was not "inclined to think that" a nominee's sexuality was "an automatic disqualification." Several of Obama's potential choices are openly gay.

"I may disagree with some legal opinion on those issues," Sessions said, "but I think fundamentally it will be up to the president to submit somebody who would unite the country and would be a clear statement of a mainstream judge who commits himself to the law."

The openness did not hold true for Sessions' Republican colleague, Sen. John Thune.

"I know the administration is being pushed, but I think it would be a bridge too far right now," said the South Dakota Republican. "It seems to me this first pick is going to be a kind of important one, and my hope is that he'll play it a little more down the middle. A lot of people would react very negatively."

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Comments

[knowhelpnow]

The GOP stand aside we really do not think that your opinion matters any more and with only about 20% calling themselves Republican, I'm trying to figure out why you guys are always in the news media saying what is wrong with anything liberals come up with or some other lies you spin.
Oh I remember the media is run by Republican rich people who don't want the change to hurt their bonuses, their huge salaries, and their spoils(all the tax credits and incentives you receive from the government sort of like Corporate Socialism) you had your time to run things and look what the party of a weak government has done to our country, so please shut the up.

[Jonny38103]

35 years since Roe v Wade - isn't that settled law yet?

[Matt Wilstein]

Here's the video of Sessions saying he's open to nominee with "gay tendencies":
http://www.gotchamediablog.com/2009/05/rep-sessions-could-support-nominee-with.html

[Cunningham]

I saw him say that earlier. What the heck are "gay tendencies"? Is that what he and other republicans call it when they engage in homosexual sex?

[Cunningham]

I saw him say that earlier. What the heck are "gay tendencies"? Is that what he and other republicans call it when they engage in hom_ose_xual s_ex?

[shediac]

'OK' Limbaugh is going to toast Mr. Sessions. Senator grab your ankles...

[truthfulb]

I disagree with one statement made why not a openly gay judge? I think we are ready for that we already have them so why not on the supreme court? That judge will still have to follow rule of law and just because that judge is for something does not mean the other judges will fall in line with him/her.

[pumpkin]

"I could...

but I won't"

[escribacat]

I nominate Anita Hill.

[ymuttley]

Oh this is "Priceless" Can you imagine Thomas? Anita hill for supreme court justice hahhaha,this would serve Clarence Thomas right for his crappy antics he pulled .

[truthfulb]

I think this is the most absurd suggestion and I am amazed that people fix their mouths or fingers to utter that. Why would you nominate her to tee of Clarence Thomas, so for your amusement you want to screw up the entire supreme court how selfish is that

[LDS50]

are you serious?

[knowhelpnow]

Well in my thoughts dear ole Clarence Thomas screwed up the entire Supreme Court, how could he get away with what he did and get voted in. I would say these litmus test are screwed.

[Ron1951]

I believe that Jeff Sessions believes these statements like I believe in the tooth fairy. Mom or dad promotes the tooth fairy for the innocence of children who are not old enough to know better. Sessions makes his statements for the benefit of voters who don't know any better.

Can a leopard change his spots?

[Elabacki]

Ask Alan the new Democrat Sen

[medici]

Alan???

[SammyD]

Yep, as long as the nominee is not a straight white-guy. America only discriminates against straight white guys in America. Too bad America continues to go backwards in race and gender relations. Until America gets to the point of choosing for competency, you'll spiral down to the bottom.

[medici]

Yeah, you need a minority like Roberts!?!?!

[daninastoria]

Yes those poor white guys, there's only been 106 white guys on the court out of a total of 110.

[LDS50]

Boo Hoo. White guys don't have an exclusive club anymore.

[knowhelpnow]

The kool-aid is flowing, all you have to do is look at the % and see that America is discriminating against straight white guys, only in America can this be said.
After 35 years the GOP still wants a litimus test on abortion, that is what they are about concern about abortion, gay rights " heaven forbid if they get them", this country goes against it's own Constition and Bill of Rights,

[Justiceintruth]

Ditto what AlabamianforObama and Jonny38103!

As an Alabama (and Huntsville) native, I know exactly what you both mean. There are many progressive minded folks in the south (and in Huntsville, AL in particular) who supported and continue to support the Obama administration. While we may not be 100% on ALL of the policies, we recognize that a different course of action than that of the last 8 years MUST be taken to get this country back on track. Unlike the rant of many right-wing tinfoil hat wearers, we disagree that Pres. Obama's policies are simply more of the same.

I must admit that I am suprisingly pleased to hear that Sen Jeff Sessions has made such an "open-minded and objective" statement regarding the president's appointment the SCOTUS. Whether or now he really means it is another thing altogether, but trust me, knowing Jeff Sessions the way many of us here in Sweet Home Alabama know him, to even hear him utter those words is somewhat of a revelation! We'll wait and see if he he means what he says.

[jesseandrews]

I guess you think bush did it all by hisself, lots of dems went along with him seeing as how he did not have a filabuster proof congress. Also research alot of what obama is doing it failed overseas and will fail here, you can not do what he wants for everyone without rationing care and saying some get this and others do not. Fix what we have not a new broken system that has failed around thew world. If it was so great why do so many come here. I have been and know people in France Canada and England that do not like their system and would love ours where at least you can go to the doctor of your choice and can still go to any hospital or urgent care of free clinic for help to. They will see you even if you can not pay.

[Slackjaw1]

Go to the Doctor of your choice? Where in the heck do you live? I would love to be able to do that. Our system is broken without a doubt, why pour more money into something bad. Give something, anything a chance and see if it floats. He promised change and I am looking forward to it. Good or bad! Give up your old worn out point of views and learn to progress.`

[knowhelpnow]

I know people in the USA that would love to get medical treatment like France, Canada and England so that and $2.00 will get you a cup of coffee. Yea you can get help in the ER, and free clinic not really at urgent care and that is fine if you have a a broken leg, but they will get you out of their asap, if you have cancer or heart disease your pretty well on your own or any other illness unless you can get on Medicaid and then you have to have lost everything.
Gee I find myself wishing that your insurance does not cover some major medical problem or calls it precondition or any other things they use to not pay the medical bills or you go over their limits and you lose everything, only then will you people think public/uni­versal/sin­gle-payer health care is a good thing. I know wishing that is not right and I'm sorry, but may God forgive you people that do not believe that health care is a right in this country.

[Bruupo]

Uninsured people in America are denied lifesaving preventative and maintenance care every day.

If you are diagnosed with something like leukemia or lupis or any of a thousand other terminal or potentially fatal conditions, you are deemed uninsurable forever- and hospitals are no longer required to treat anyone who is not literally at death's door.

Every day. The cheaper options could save them, prolong their lives and productivity for many years or decades, but we refuse them the preventative care so that we can pay a hundred times more for the critical care they would otherwise not have needed.

And we pay for that critical care as taxpayers.

[mswaine]

"none-to-pleased " ?
Do you have editors at all?

[Slackjaw1]

Did you see Cavuto's face when sessions said that? he looked like he was going to dump a load right there on set.

[Aimee LoPresti]

No I didn't see that, that's hilarious! I can't watch fox, I start feeling like a stroke is coming on...

[mudbones]

If only it were sincere.

[mudbones]

Someone must be tired of no longer being in power.

[LeaderofMen]

Sessions is a Republican.

Sessions is from AL.

Sessions was interviewed on Fox News.

It is an established fact that the GOP hates gays and are chronic liars. It is an established fact that Fox News is not a real news organization.

Now... what was that again Mr. Sessions?

[ReedYoung]

I think it's pre-emptive CYA by Jeffrey Beauregard Sessions, III.
quote:
Earlier in the day, Sessions said he was not "inclined to think that" a nominee's sexuality was "an automatic disqualifi­cation." Several of Obama's potential choices are openly gay.

"I may disagree with some legal opinion on those issues," Sessions said, "but I think fundamentally it will be up to the president to submit somebody who would unite the country and would be a clear statement of a mainstream judge who commits himself to the law."
/quote

Now, when he opposes every openly gay appointee, he can point back to that comment and say it's because of "some legal opinion on those issues" -- and since he hasn't specified what "those issues" are he believes he can therefore make them up as he goes along, in opposition to whatever opinions expressed earlier in their careers by any nominees President Obama selects, who happen to be gay.