Reply #19: Stopping "Scalito" starts in Virginia [View All]

[Tom Rinaldo]

Bush's nomination of Judge Samuel Alito for the Supreme Court vacancy will energize Republican Jerry Kilgore's base in Virginia. Despite his avid support for the Death Penalty, Kilgore said in a debate this year that "I'm a pro-life candidate running for governor. I don't try to be all things to all people. I support a culture of life." Kilgore tried to duck a direct question from moderator Tim Russet about Abortion and his position as Governor of Virginia should the Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade in one of the great "gotcha" moments in American politics:

"If Roe v. Wade was overturned and returned to the states, would you sign legislation in the commonwealth outlawing abortion?

Kilgore: Not knowing what any Supreme Court would do, I would work within the parameters supporting a culture of life. I'm not backing away from that on this stage, but . . .

Russert : But Mr. Kilgore, it's a simple question: If Roe v. Wade is overturned by the Supreme Court, and it is a possibility according to people for and against abortion rights, would you as governor sign legislation outlawing abortion except exceptions for rape, incest and life of mother? Yes or no?

Kilgore: And my response is, that's a hypothetical. You don't know what any Supreme Court in the future is going to do. I am going to work within the parameters laid down by the Supreme Court. That's what attorneys do.

Russert: If the legislature passed a tax increase, would you veto or sign it?

Kilgore: I would veto a tax increase unless . . .

Russert: That's a hypothetical question."

Here is a partial transcript of the debate, as covered by the Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/21/AR2005092100111_pf.html

Here is Tim Kaine's position on Abortion, described on one of his campaign websites:

Tim Kaine would veto a ban on abortion as Governor. Kaine wants to reduce abortions but opposes criminalizing women and doctors. Kaine will work to reduce abortions by: Enforcing the current Virginia restrictions on abortion and passing an enforceable ban on partial birth abortion that protects the life and health of the mother; fighting teen pregnancy through abstinence-focused education; ensuring women's access to health care (including legal contraception) and economic opportunity; and promoting adoption as an alternative for women facing unwanted pregnancies.

So Bush's Supreme Court nominee should play well with Kilgore's base in Virginia, but more to the point of this post, a Kilgore victory in Virginia would play well to Bush's base around the nation. It would embolden them, it would put pressure on any wavering Republican Senators to toe the Right Wing company line. The returns from Virginia will be in before a single Senator asks Alito a single question in a Senate confirmation hearing. Stopping "Scalito" starts in Virginia.