Grassroots Mobilizing to End Judicial Filibusters

Judicial Confirmation Network to Distribute Progress for America Ad on Justice Owen and Justice Brown; Grassroots Mobilizing to End Judicial Filibusters

Washington, D.C. -- Judicial Confirmation Network (JCN) counsel Wendy E. Long today joined representatives of Progress for America (PFA) at a press conference at the National Press Club, as PFA unveiled its new television ad on two of President Bush's judicial nominees, Justice Priscilla Owen of Texas and Justice Janice Rogers Brown of California.

Statement by Wendy E. Long, Counsel to Judicial Confirmation Network:

"For too long, liberal pressure groups and Democrats in the Senate have waged a smear-and-fear campaign against these two women, who possess outstanding qualifications to serve on our nation's federal appellate bench.

"President Bush nominated Justice Owen 4 years ago; Justice Brown almost 2 years ago. Progress for America is now giving the American people a chance to get to know them, and they're going to like what they see.

"These women are jurists of legal brilliance, fair-mindedness, and impartiality. Their writings demonstrate their exceptional ability to think logically and to act as neutral umpires of the law. They are women of great personal integrity, who have worked hard to rise in the legal profession, and have dedicated themselves to public service.

"The truth is, they are about as close as you can get to an ideal judge. All Americans can have confidence that they will be faithful to the Constitution, respect their limited role in our democracy, and dispense justice impartially, protecting the rights of all.

"Both women have been the object of lies and distortions by liberal groups and Democrats who would like to kill their nominations without even giving them a fair vote in the Senate.

"While these Progress for America ads air on television stations across the nation, Judicial Confirmation Network will hold a teleconference with state leaders in six target states and will initiate more than 675,000 grassroots contacts through e-mail alerts and a phone campaign, to organize people to phone, e-mail or write their Senators to urge them to give Justices Owen and Brown, and all of the President's judicial nominees, a fair vote on the floor of the Senate.

"JCN will also distribute the new Progress for America ad over the Internet to our own members and supporters, as well as members of our 75 coalition partner organizations, so the ad will reach some 10 million activists and supporters who care about a fair confirmation process and judges who will be faithful to the Constitution. The American people see through the obvious political maneuvering by a handful of liberal Senators to block these qualified nominees. By an overwhelming majority, the people want Senators to do their constitutional duty and vote on judges."

You can view this powerful ad at http://www.upordownvote.com/ After viewing the ad please call both of your Senators offices and ask them to "Give Justice Owen and Brown a fair up or down vote on the floor of the U.S. Senate."