10-29-05, 9:46 am

In a statment released this week, National Organization for Women (NOW) President Kim Gandy called on Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor to remain at her post.

In light of President Bush's withdrawal of support for nominee Harriet Miers, an illustration of 'the stranglehold George W. Bush's base of religious and political extremists have on his administration,' said Gandy, the people need a proven judge who will 'uphold our core fundamental rights and constitutional protections.'

Gandy pointed out that the 'real reason Bush's right-wing base demanded her withdrawal was the lack of an iron-clad guarantee (which they had with John Roberts) that Miers would be a solid vote to overturn longstanding precedents like Roe v. Wade' and other key reproductive rights protections.

Despite their bluster about opposition to 'activist' judges, conservatives, Gandy argued, are out to impose theer 'own kind' of activist judge on the American people.

Bush's failure to nominate a proven judge with both leadership and moral and intellectual steadfastness to insist on upholding the Constitution over ideological concerns has created 'turmoil' and that confidence in the government in steadily declining.'

O'Connor is the one person who can restore confidence in the Court and its Constitutional duties by remaining at her post. O'Connor has proven that she isn't beholden to any extreme faction of any idelogical movement, stated Gandy.

'We strongly encourage Justice O'Connor to reconsider her stated intention to retire,' Gandy urged, 'and instead remain on the court. NOW is initiating a petition campaign to demonstrate widespread support for such an action.'

'Though this action would come at considerable personal cost to Justice O'Connor,' Gandy added, 'it would be an undeniable service and the people of the United States would be grateful.'

Read NOW's petition to Justice O'Connor here.