Gra Grassly News Today

Theres a new list and youre on it. i dont know about that. i dont think -- you didnt know. i dont think -- we were all surprised. anyway, we are where we are. >> okay. tell me about the process that led to your nomination. did anyone ask you to make any promises or assurances at all about your view on certain legal issues or the way that youd rule in certain cases? >> senator, i think youd be reassured by the process that unfolded. i try to live under a shell during the campaign season. watch ba...

>> mr. chairman, you are right, there were two lists, as i recall, over the summer. i was not on the first list. i remember having breakfast one day with a friend, who may be here, brian? there you are. you remember this. >> i do. >> we were having breakfast one day, and he said neil, you are not on the list. i said, you are right. i am not on the list. he said you should be on the list. i said i love my life in colorado. i wouldnt change a thing. i am a happy man, i have a loving wife and beaut...

Presidents of both parties decline to answer questions like these. thats because, as the nominee put it, quote, a judge sworn to decide can offer no forecast, no hints for that would show not only disregard for the specifics of this particular case, it would display disdain for the entire judicial process, end of quote. now you probably know thats what justice ginsburg said at her hearing. and its what we call the ginsburg standard. the underlying reason for this is, of course, is that making pr...

Prepared to make it seem like he is answering questions and not to alienate democrats. >> if he is asked about travel ban 2.0, constitutional, not constitutional, he will respond? >> thats an issue that might come before the court, i cant address that. >> i suspect we will be hearing that a lot. >> get ready. >> two or three versions of that. >> heres the chairman, senator grassl gra grassly.

For instance, that brown versus board of education which finally overruled a repugnant separate but equal stand is the textbool example of this. so with these things in mind, id like to explore the approach youd take to supreme court precedence. could you tell us what you believe is the value of precedent in our legal system? >> absolutely, senator. if i might, mr. chairman, go back just a moment to promises. i have offered no promises on how id rule in any case to anyone. and i dont think its a...

I make a decision based on the facts and the law. those are some of the things judicial independence means to me, and it means the judicial oath i took to administer justice without respect to persons, and to discharge impartially the duties of my office. its a beautiful oath. its a statutory oath written by this body. thats what judicial independence means to me. happy to talk about the separation of powers, too, if you would like, mr. chairman, which you referenced in there or i am happy to an...

You describe in any way you want to what judicial independence means and specifically tell us whether you would have any trouble ruling against a president who appointed you? >> [ inaudible ]? >> turn your microphone on. >> sorry. thats a softball, mr. chairman. i am heartened by the support i have received from people who recognize that theres no such thing as a republican judge or a democratic judge. we just have judges. when i think about what judicial independence means, i think of byro tphf...

On the separation of powers. it is, mr. chairman, the genius of the constitution. madison thought the separation of powers was perhaps the most important liberty guaranteeing device in the whole constitution. and this is a point of civics that i do think that maybe is lost today. how valuable the separation of powers is. you have in article 1, the peoples representatives make the law. thats your job. and i dont think its an accident that the framers put article 1 first. your job comes first. you...