Alito Forum
Sponsored by Maine Women's Lobby and 40 other organizations
January 26, 2006 - USM Lewiston Campus
I'm Jean Hay Bright, of Dixmont, Maine, and I am a member or supporter of the many organizations sponsoring this event today.

As a long-time pro-choice activist, I became concerned about Judge Alito when I learned of his public animosity toward Roe v. Wade, and his dismissive attitude toward women's ability to make independent decisions for themselves and their families.

I grew alarmed when it became clear that Judge Alito believes the President has the authority to alter or disregard any law he chooses.

Our Constitution establishes a balance of power between the three branches of government. Judge Alito on the Supreme Court presents a clear and present danger to that balance.

A President already grasping at power unheard of in our nation's history, and a complicit Supreme Court stacked in the President's favor, does not bode well for the continuation of freedom and democracy in America.

I am not here today to urge Senators Snowe and Collins to vote against the confirmation of Judge Samuel Alito to the United States Supreme Court. It's too late for that. A majority of Senators have already committed to confirm Judge Alito.

I am here to express my disappointment in Senator Snowe's refusal to take a stand until it became clear that her votes would be irrelevant.

Even if Senator Snowe votes the right way, which to my mind means voting against confirmation, I, for one, will not be applauding a decision made too late to make a difference.