John Roberts in Joe Biden biography by Jules Witcover

On Abortion: Constitutional privacy protection is only a so-called right

In 2005, Bush appointed a federal appellate judge, John Roberts. The Roberts confirmation gave Biden more public visibility when Bush's nomination came before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Biden let Roberts know where he was coming from. "Judge, if I look only at what you have said and written, I would have to vote no. You dismissed the constitutional protection to privacy as 'a so-called right.' You derided agencies like the Securities and Exchange Commission as 'constitutional anomalies.' And you dismissed gender discrimination as 'merely a perceived problem.' Judge, explain what you meant by what you have said and what you have written." Biden finally got Roberts to say he did agree there was "a right to privacy to be found in the Libert Clause of the 14th Amendment," and one that "extends to women." Well, what about abortion? Biden asked. Roberts replied: "Well that is in an area where I think I should not respond"--a matter that might come before him for ruling on the Supreme Court. Source: A Life of Trial & Redemption, by Jules Witcover, p.364-368 Oct 5, 2010

The above quotations are from Joe Biden: A Life of Trial and Redemption by Jules Witcover. Click here for main summary page. Click here for a profile of John Roberts. Click here for John Roberts on all issues.
*John Roberts on other issues:*
Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families Foreign Policy Free Trade	Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Jobs Principles/Values Social Security Tax Reform Technology/Infrastructure War/Iraq/Mideast Welfare/Poverty
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org! Click for details -- or send donations to: 1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140 E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org (We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Feb 14, 2019