Another communication from the American Center for Law and Justice. Repeated here because one of the most important issues of the Bush Administration will be the appointment of Supreme Court Justices who will follow the Constitution instead of rewriting the Constitution based upon personal agendas.

"You're a person of religious faith? You're disqualified. You won't commit to supporting abortion rights? You're disqualified.

This is the message coming loud and clear from left-wing groups and politicians responding to the President's nomination of John Roberts to the Supreme Court of the United States.

This kind of discrimination is disgraceful.

. It's unconstitutional to impose a religious test for any federal office.

. It's wrong to demand a judicial nominee to declare how he or she would rule in a future case.

. It's unethical to force a former attorney to release confidential files from previous client relationships.

Yet every one of these outrages has been strongly promoted by pro-abortion groups desperate to derail Judge John Roberts's nomination to the high court.

(One Senator has actually declared that he will vote against Judge Roberts unless he agrees to support Roe (v.) Wade--effectively repudiating the constitutional principal of "separation of powers"!)

We knew the left wing would come out fighting, and we knew it would be intense. Our Washington team and I have been working with members of Congress on this literally every day, almost every hour. And with the help of tens of thousands of ACLJ members, we have already petitioned the Senate Judiciary Committee to clear the eminently qualified John G. Roberts, Jr., for a vote in the full Senate. I am deeply grateful to everyone who participated in that petition drive!

But the extent of the attacks has been appalling--and today, it's clear--we must petition the full Senate. The pressure is so great--the attacks on Judge Roberts are so fierce--that every member of the United States Senate is being bombarded by pro-abortion propaganda from the National Abortion Federation, People For the American Way, and others.

It's imperative that every Senator--not just members of the Judicial Committee-- recognizes the importance of confirming Judge Roberts. Ultimately, the full Senate will vote on him--not just the Committee.

And the Senate will be back in session soon, so it is crucial that your two Senators understand your position--and realize that you stand with thousands of ACLJ members in support of a speedy, straightforward up-or-down vote for Judge Roberts: no filibuster, no stalling, no maneuvering, no compromise.

Timing is also vital, because the Senate Judiciary Committee will begin hearings on September 6, and the Supreme Court will open its new session on the first Monday in October. Only if the Senate moves ahead at a constitutionally appropriate pace will Judge Roberts be seated in time.

I have known him for years. Because Judge Roberts is so highly qualified, the opposition is panicky. They cannot deny his credentials, so they must find ways to drag the process down.

The latest round of attacks has been the most vicious....

Some in the Senate, as well as public interest groups, have increased the call for scrutiny over Judge Roberts because of his Catholic faith. The idea that there would be a religious litmus test to serve on the Supreme Court is not only repugnant, it is also unconstitutional.

Now some Senators are even demanding that Judge Roberts release confidential files from his previous work as Associate White House Counsel and Deputy Solicitor General--which would be an unconscionable breach of attorney-client privilege and the rule of ethics.

(Rather than threatening a nominee who would refuse such a demand, the Senate should reject anyone who would agree to it!)

So the battle is enormous, and it is enormously important.

But by GOD'S grace, we are perfectly positioned, with our headquarters directly across the street from the Supreme Court building, only minutes from the U.S. Capitol.

Our legislative and legal teams are fully engaged--we're in 'overdrive'--meeting with Senators, conducting legal research, distributing legal memoranda--because it's imperative that Judge Roberts be confirmed.

We will continue to serve as your voice in the halls of Congress, but we need your help today in order to win this crucial battle. The Senate will be returning from summer recess shortly, so please immediately sign the enclosed petitions to your U.S. Senators and send them...to the ACLJ.

....

Our work on crucial pro-life Supreme Court cases can't be put 'on hold' during this confirmation process.

So please..., ... return your signed petitions without delay--the Senate will be back in session very soon. Thank you for responding to this urgent situation!

Yours for freedom,

Jay Alan Sekulow
Chief Counsel

P.S. We cannot afford any complacency in this pivotal moment. We are calling upon every member of ACLJ to participate in this nationwide petition drive. It is of paramount importance to the future of our nation that Judge Roberts be confirmed to the Supreme Court of the United States....

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Petition to the Full Senate

In care of United States Senator Barack Obama, Il.
(also a petition addressed to Senator Richard Durbin, Il.)

As the Judiciary Committee releases the nomination of Judge John G. Roberts, Jr., to the full Senate, you will be called upon to vote on the nomination. Judge Roberts is eminently qualified to serve as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States with a stellar legal and judicial record. He will respect the Constitution of the United States and preserve the rights and freedoms of our nation's people. We strongly urge you to use your influence in the Senate to ensure that an up-or-down vote by the full Senate occurs in a timely manner, and we even more strongly urge you to vote in favor of confirmation for Judge Roberts.


Signed: ___________________________________________________

Thank you.