Latino Groups Supremely Disappointed but Judiciously Hopeful
Sonia Meléndez     [Photo]

Latino leaders say they are "disillusioned" but "not surprised" by President Bush's nomination of John Roberts Jr. to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

The president himself had talked about his commitment to appointing a Latino to the Supreme Court. “This was a historic opportunity to seize the day and it didn't happen," said Larry González, Washington director of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials. “It is very fair to be disappointed.”

González added that there were many Latinos that the president could have picked. One of them was Attorney General Alberto Gonzáles, who was attacked by conservatives as "too moderate."

Roberts is viewed as appealing to the conservative base, which is why others say his selection should not be a surprise to Latino groups.

Columbia University's Rodolfo de la Garza, called Bush's choice "predictable," and questioned why Latino groups should be disappointed.

"You were going to get a very conservative person anyway. Why would you care if you got a very conservative Latino over a very conservative something else?" de la Garza added. "What you want is somebody on the bench who will be open and thoughtful, even if he's not a Latino."

Sens. Mel Martínez (R-Fla.) and Ken Salazar (D-Colo.) will be the first two Hispanics since 1975 to take part in Supreme Court confirmation hearings.

Martínez has already said Roberts is "an exceptionally well-qualified nominee."

While Salazar said in a statement, "I will judge the nominee on three basic principles: fairness, impartiality and a proven record of upholding the law."

As expected, Latino Republicans say that the president has not disappointed anyone. There are many other ways of paying attention to the Latino community, says Luis Fortuño, Puerto Rico's representative in Congress and vice chair of the Hispanic Congressional Conference. Fortuño adds that there is nothing to indicate that Judge Roberts will be bad for the community.

"President Bush has named more Latinos than any other president to Cabinet positions and high-ranking positions. He has demonstrated in more than one way that he is truly close to our community. Certainly, I'm honored that Latino candidates were considered, but what we want is someone like Judge Roberts who will work with dexterity, because he is eminently qualified for the position like no one else, and he will actually provide justice to all Americans, including Hispanic Americans," Fortuño said.

Meanwhile, groups like NALEO, the League of United Latin American Citizens and Hispanics for a Fair Judiciary have begun examining Roberts' record on key issues, including redistricting, affirmative action, and voting rights.

For now, some experts agree that if another seat becomes vacant on the Supreme Court as is expected, Bush has a greater chance of selecting a Latino. "Now that (Bush) has taken care of the major constituency, and the people who opposed Gonzáles should be satisfied with the guy they are getting now, their opposition should be moderated," de la Garza added.

The hearings are scheduled to start in September after the congressional recess.

Capitol Hill Editor Patricia Guadalupe contributed to this story.

(Sonia Meléndez is editor of Hispanic Link Weekly Report. She can be reached at soniam@hispaniclink.org)

© 2005, Hispanic Link News Service
07/31/05
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