May, 2001, The East Room of the Whitehouse
Remarks by President Bush During Federal Judicial
Appointees Announcement
" These first nominations are also an opportunity to outline the standards by which I will choose all federal judges. The American people expect judges
of the highest caliber, and my nominees will meet that test. A judge, by the
most basic measure, has an obligation shared by the President and members
of Congress. All of us are constitutional officers, sworn to serve within the limits
of our Constitution and laws. When we observe those limits, we exercise our
rightful power. When we exceed those limits, we abuse our powers.
Every judge I appoint will be a person who clearly understands the role of a
judge is to interpret the law, not to legislate from the bench. To paraphrase the
third occupant of this house, James Madison, the courts exist to exercise not the
will of men, but the judgment of law.
My judicial nominees will know the difference. Understanding this will make them
more effective in the defense of rights guaranteed under the Constitution, the
enforcement of our laws, and more effective in assuming that justice is done to the
guilty and for the innocent.
My standard is informed by the oath that each judge will take: to administer justice
without respect to persons, and to do equal right to poor and to the rich. A good judge
exercises these powers with discernment, courage and humility. These are commitments,
not just to philosophy, but of character. "
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Anything Less Is
Unacceptable!
.