Judge O’Connor says her beliefs won’t alter rulings

Senate committee hearing is told she personally opposes abortion WASHINGTON – Sandra Day O’Connor of Phoenix, virtually assured of becoming the first woman justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday that she opposes abortion but would not let her personal views affect her ruling on any issue that comes before the high court. Judge O’Connor also said in her first day of testimony before the 18-member committee that she believes in “judicial restraint” and views the role of the Supreme Court as one of interpreting the law rather than of legislating. After Judge O’Connor concluded more than three hours of testimony, Committee Chairman Strom Thurmond, RS.C., predicted that the former Arizona state senator will be endorsed by the committee and confirmed by the full Senate next week. “I don’t see any problem with her confirmation,” he said. “I thought she made an excellent witness. She impressed me as being bright, alert, dedicated and possessed of a fine analytical mind.” Questioning of Judge O’Connor resumes this morning. The hearing on her nomination is scheduled to end Friday. – Thurmond, a conservative Southerner, began the questioning by focusing immediately on the only issue that has stirred any meaningful opposition to her appointment – her voting record on abortion-related issues as a state senator from 1969 to 1975. When asked by Thurmond her opinion on abortion, Judge O’Connor prefaced her answer by saying, “The – personal views and