Survey Shows Americans Want Conservative Supreme Court

National   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Jul 29, 2005   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
July 29, 2005

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — Two pro-life organizations are touting a recent survey they commissioned showing Americans favor a conservative Supreme Court. The groups say their poll found that most Americans favor a judicial nominee like John Roberts who will show judicial restraint rather than activism from the bench.

The poll, sponsored by American Values and the American Family Association, finds voters favor a "more conservative" — over a "more liberal" — U.S. Supreme Court by 50 to 30 percent.

When asked who they like better, "a justice who strictly applies the intent of the law without regard to his or her own policy views" or "who corrects policies that he or she believes to be wrong, even if that requires overruling the intent of elected representatives," respondents favored the justice who strictly applies the intent of the law by 60 percent to 34 percent.

The poll also found that 65 percent of those surveyed disagreed with the Supreme Court’s 2000 decision overturning a state ban on partial-birth abortions. The decision led to other courts reversing similar laws in other states.

"This survey demonstrates that President Bush’s judicial nominees need not fear appearing before the U.S. Senate and stating their opposition to the liberal judicial agenda," American Values president Gary Bauer said.

"During his upcoming confirmation hearings, John Roberts should confidently defend his conservative philosophy," Bauer added.

Should Roberts be approved for the high court, he would replace outgoing pro-abortion Justice Sanda Day O’Connor. Pro-life groups expect Roberts will become the deciding vote to uphold a national ban on partial-birth abortions.

The poll also found 61 percent agree with the statement: "The U.S. Senate should give both Republican and Democratic presidents wide discretion in selecting nominees to the U.S. Supreme Court."

"While some senators are applying liberal litmus tests to court nominees, American voters themselves oppose key pillars of the court’s liberal agenda," AFA chairman Don Wildman said.

"By all accounts, John Roberts is a conservative, and he should consider that conservatism an asset, not a liability, as he proceeds through the confirmation process," Wildman concluded.

The survey was conducted July 18 and 19 among 800 likely general election voters throughout the United States. The poll has a margin of error of 3.46 percent.