O’Connor gets high praise for politics and the law

PHOENIX, Ariz. – ‘Arizona Appeals Court Judge Sandra D. O’Connor, President Reagan’s nominee to the Supre,me Court, has a long background in the law and politics, and she rates superlatives from her colle-c1gues in both arenas. O’Connor’s abilities foster respect from people in both major political parties. Attorneys, legislators and others praised her nomination to fill the vacancy created by retirement of Justice Potter Stewart. Dean Roger C. Henderson of the University of Arizona Law School called the nomination an “excellent appointment.” “She is a no-nonsense person,” he said. “When she gets down to business. it’s all busines.<;. •She will call them as she sees them, that's for sure. She's Just going to be great." Bob Begam, a Phoenix attorney, said he was .. surprised and delighted. 1 would say she is a conservative person but that she will approach each issue on its merit which is what any judge, particularly a Supreme Court judge, should do. "She won't fall into any pattern. Some of her opinions may be embraced by conservatives, others embraced by liberals. She will, in my opinion, decide each case on its merits." Despite her conservative bent. she has supported abortion legJSlation and the Equal Rights Amendment. The president of the National Right to Life Committee immediately announced "the entire pro-life movement will oppose her confirmation." O'Connor. 51, was graduated from Stanford University Law School in 1952, with the Order of the Coif. She was a member of