Anti-O’Connor Mail Heavy

An organized mail campaign is being conducted against Sandra O’Connor, who has been nominated by President Ronald Reagan for a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court. It is easy to spot because letters use the same phrases and often are mimeographed. Such campaigns are common, and this one is no different than others . It contains the usual mudslinging, distortion of facts, innuendoes and character assassination. Fortunately, O’Connor has been in the political arena for a long time, and she probably is paying little attention to the misguided and misinformed attacks. Having known O’Connor for many years, and having worked with her on civic and political projects, we are amused that attacks are coming from the far right. Her record shows that she is a member of Arizona’s conservative establishment, and she definitely is not a liberal. The worst smearing and distorting is coming from anti-abortionists. The truth is that she is not an advocate of abortion and took a middle ground as a state senator. It is probable that the nomination will be approved without serious opposition. In the process, members of the Senate should recognize that it is not judicially appropriate for a prospective justice to give opinions on issues which the court will have to decide. If O’Connor is forced to do this, she may have a conflict of interest when related cases come up. Narrow issues do not detennine judicial fitness. Rather, the Senate must weigh O’Connor’s knowledge of law, understanding of the Constitution