19 Jul 2005 Project 21 Press Release: Black Activists Speak Out on Bush Supreme Court Nomination

With tonight’s announcement of a Supreme Court nominee, members of the black leadership network Project 21 implore senators to engage in a quick and fair confirmation process that is free of partisanship and political power-plays.

“The President has chosen. It is now prudent that this nominee be accorded fair and timely proceedings that are free of the rancorous hyperbole Americans have witnessed in the Senate over the past few years,” said Project 21 member Mychal Massie. “This process is not about left or right, but rather about the nominee’s willingness to support and defend the Constitution. Let us hope that those who have asked to share their opinions with the President and had their voices heard do not now choose to apply an ideological litmus test to the process.”

President George W. Bush met with Senate leaders about potential candidates prior to tonight’s announcement, and he and members of the White House staff have had direct contact with at least 60 senators during the selection process.

“Let’s hope this confirmation process is free of any and all litmus tests and other types of political wrangling,” said Project 21 member Darryn “Dutch” Martin. “A nominee should be judged on their merits and strict adherence to our Constitution.”

Project 21 takes no position on the confirmation of any particular judicial nominee, but believes that it is in the best interest of the United States that judicial vacancies are filled with appropriate speed.
Project 21, a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization, has been a leading voice of the African-American community since 1992. For more information, contact David Almasi at (202) 507-6398 x11 or [email protected], or visit Project 21’s website at http://www.project21.org/P21Index.html. New Visions Commentaries can be found at https://nationalcenter.org/P21NewVisions.html.