WASHINGTON

OBAMA, DEMOCRATS CRITICIZE FILIBUSTER MOVE

To more effectively oppose Supreme Court nominees in the future, Democrats need to convince the public “their values are at stake” rather than use stalling tactics to try to thwart the president, a senator who opposes Samuel Alito’s confirmation said.

Senator Obama, a Democrat of Illinois, predicted yesterday that an effort to try to block a final vote on Judge Alito would fail today. That would clear the way for Senate approval Tuesday of the federal appeals court judge picked to succeed the retiring Justice O’Connor.

Democrats fear he would shift the court rightward on abortion rights, affirmative action, the death penalty, and other issues.

“We need to recognize, because Judge Alito will be confirmed, that, if we’re going to oppose a nominee that we’ve got to persuade the American people that, in fact, their values are at stake,” Mr. Obama said.

“There is an over-reliance on the part of Democrats for procedural maneuvers,” he told ABC’s “This Week.”

Senators Kerry and Kennedy of Massachusetts are urging fellow Democrats to support a filibuster, citing in part Judge Alito’s conservative record on abortion and deference to executive power.

– Associated Press

FRIST: GOVERNMENT UNWANTED IN END-OF-LIFE CASES Senate Majority Leader Frist, who took a leading role in the Terry Schiavo case, said yesterday it taught him that Americans do not want the government involved in such end-of-life decisions.

Dr. Frist, considered a presidential hopeful for 2008, defended his call for further examinations of the brain-damaged Florida woman during the last days of a bitter family feud over her treatment. Schiavo was in a persistent vegetative state.

The case became a rallying point for right-to-life advocates, an important segment of the Republican Party. It also drew interest from those supporting the right to refuse life-sustaining medical treatment and led to charges that the GOP was using a family tragedy for political gain.

Asked on NBC’s “Meet the Press” if he had any regrets about the Schiavo case, Dr. Frist said: “Well, I’ll tell you what I learned from it, which is obvious. The American people don’t want you involved in these decisions.”

– The Washington Post

WEST

L.A. JURY REJECTS CLAIM THAT REV. JESSE JACKSON THREATENED MINISTER

LOS ANGELES – A jury Friday rejected claims in a lawsuit that the Reverend Jesse Jackson cursed and threatened a conservative minister at a 2001 gathering. The Superior Court panel also rejected most of the suit’s claims against Rev. Jackson’s son Jonathan, but split 6-6 on a claim of simple assault. The defense said it would ask the judge to issue a directed verdict. The plaintiff’s side indicated it would oppose that and would seek to refile that part of the case. The lawsuit was brought by the Reverend Jesse Lee Peterson, founder and president of the conservative Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny. Rev. Peterson accused Rev. Jackson and his son of assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and violation of his civil rights by threatening to use force against him because of his political affiliation, said Carol Sobel, the attorney who represented the Jacksons. Rev. Jackson’s son also was accused of battery and of false imprisonment for allegedly preventing Rev. Peterson from leaving the meeting.

– Associated Press