Sen. Ken Salazar of Colorado, one of 13 Democrats who have said they will vote to confirm John Roberts as chief justice, today urged President Bush to consider a Hispanic or a woman to fill the other open Supreme Court seat.
“The sons and daughters of America’s Hispanic families have defended the freedoms of America, including giving their lives in service to our nation in every major conflict over the last three centuries,” Salazar said in a letter to Bush.
He said the retirement of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor leaves the court with only one woman.
“You should not allow the clock of progress for our country – and in particular for women – to be turned back by diminishing the number of women on the court,” Salazar told Bush.
Bush is expected to nominate O’Connor’s replacement after the Senate votes Thursday on Roberts.
Roberts’ confirmation is assured, with more than two-thirds of the 100-member Senate already indicating plans to vote for him.
Salazar, a freshman and one of only two Hispanic U.S. senators, announced Sunday he would vote for Roberts. Bush first nominated Roberts to replace O’Connor but renominated him for chief justice after William H. Rehnquist died Sept. 3.
