Press Office of Nick Kowalski (D-ND)

[Mackout]

Press Office

[Mackout]

Press release #1

Senator Nick Kowalski defends Judge Watford from the attacks of the Freedom Caucus.

Senator Kowalski of North Dakota firmly dismisses the outrageous attempts of Freedom Caucus members to attribute Judge Watford's nomination to "affirmative actions" in the name of "racial diversion." 

Judge Watford is a qualified and experienced professional with a good record as a 9th Circuit judge. The American Bar Association gave him a "well-qualified" rating by an unanimous vote — if that's not an argument for my fellow Republicans, then what is? Is it the opinion of the American people, 63% of whom support his nomination (according to a Gallup poll)? Or maybe the joining of those prudent Republicans who are not afraid to go against the party line and vote the way their constituents demand them to?

 

My Republican colleagues have always favored well-organised and powerful Judiciary Branch. Well, the President has nominated a Supreme Court nominee, a nominee with a stellar record. In former times, such a judge would have been appointed by an overwhelming majority solely on his merit. Judge Watford is neither conservative nor liberal, and that's what we need in these divided times. At the Senate hearing, the Judge stated that he is willing to put the good of the country and the principles of the Constitution above his personal beliefs. I quote him verbatim:

Quote

"I do not believe it would be appropriate for me to offer my personal views on that subject; any such views would play no role in any decision I would be called upon to make if confirmed as a judge."

Instead of uniting and enforcing Law and Order they so vigorously promote, members of the Freedom Caucus are trying to cause obstruction in the time of hard challenges. A large part of citizens see our government as a useless and inactive body, and the actions of the Freedom Caucus members only confirm those views in their eyes. Besides, by their actions they discredit themselves. They need to think about their party's standing in the next election cycle: what will they tell voters if all they did was voting against the will of the people? This is certainly not the best voting record.

 

Today I urge the Republican Senators to join the majority of the country and vote in favojr of the nomination of Judge Paul J. Watford to the Supreme Court.

 

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Senator Nick Kowalski 

Q2, 2017

Edited April 16 by Mackout