"It is offensive to suggest that a potential justice of 
     the Supreme Court must pass some presumed test of 
     judicial philosophy. It is even more offensive to 
     suggest that a potential justice must pass the litmus 
     test of any single-issue interest group. The disturbing 
     tactics of division and distortion and discrimination 
     practiced by the extremists of the new right have no 
     place in these hearings and no place in the nation's 
     democracy."

    — Senator Kennedy, during Sandra Day O'Connor's 1981 
      confirmation hearings

 
    "battle lines [are] forming in anticipation of a summer 
     confirmation struggle in the Senate -judicial 
     philosophy, not gender, the key factor among outside 
     groups as well as lawmakers."