By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – US Democratic Senator Charles Schumer says he still has not made up his mind on Supreme Court nominee John Roberts.
Senator Schumer says he has been spending a great deal of time thinking about Roberts nomination as chief judge. But Schumer says he still is not ready to reveal his final decision.
However, time is running out. Schumer must make up his mind Thursday. That's when he, and other members of the Senate Judiciary committee, will vote on sending a recommendation to the full Senate.
Roberts faced three days of questioning last week by the committee.
"There is no question he is brilliant. There is no question he knows the law and he is above the law," Schumer said "But I have always said I do not want an ideologue on the bench, someone who won't impose their ideas on us while on the bench. Roberts says he is not an ideologue."
Schumer says he continues to review the transcripts from those hearings. He says he is weighing what he likes and dislikes about Roberts. Schumer says it appeared that Roberts is not an extremist, too far right or too far left. He says Roberts told him the law comes first. But Schumer is not so sure about Roberts level of compassion.
"John is brilliant but I worry about his heart," Schumer said. "When somebody comes before the court and really needs help, does he understand that as judges have in the past."
Schumer will be meeting at noon Tuesday with his Democratic colleagues on the Judiciary Committee to discuss Roberts. The vote by the full US Senate is scheduled for September 29th. The Supreme Court begins its new term October 3rd.
Schumer says is the nomination is a very "serious" decision that will affect Americans for a generation.