[News-releases] NOW Outraged by Bush's Underhanded Appointment ofPickering

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JANUARY 16, 2004
CONTACT:        LISA BENNETT, 202-628-8669, ext. 123


NOW OUTRAGED BY BUSH'S UNDERHANDED APPOINTMENT OF PICKERING


"The National Organization for Women is outraged by George W. Bush's 
installation of Charles Pickering on the federal appeals court while 
Congress is in recess," said NOW President Kim Gandy.  "We're no longer 
surprised by the underhandedness of this President?Bush apparently thinks 
that he can act unilaterally wherever and whenever he pleases."

"NOW has vigorously opposed Pickering's nomination to the Fifth Circuit 
Court of Appeals for more than two years, and the Senate Judiciary 
Committee rejected this foe of women's rights once before," said 
Gandy.  "We will certainly work to ensure that this unmerited appointment 
is overturned when the next Congress takes office in January 2005."

Pickering, a district court judge from Mississippi, has a long record of 
opposing civil rights and civil liberties, demonstrating significant 
judicial activism from the bench. He was an opponent of the Equal Rights 
Amendment and has expressed his support for a constitutional amendment 
banning abortion. As a state senator, Pickering repeatedly voted against 
measures that would expand electoral opportunities for African Americans 
after passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965.

"Bush's total disregard for the Democratic members of Congress who 
rightfully blocked Pickering's nomination, his disregard for the women of 
this country and for democracy in general are appalling," said Gandy.  "All 
the more reason for women's rights supporters to get active and to vote 
Bush out of office in November."

On the web at: http://www.now.org/press/01-04/01-16a.html