SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): “‘Sexist.’ ‘A disaster for women.’ ‘Totally unacceptable.’ These are just a few of the ad hominem attacks that far-left special interest groups hurled at a federal circuit court judge whom a Republican President nominated to the Supreme Court. The name of that federal judge? Anthony Kennedy. After President Reagan nominated then-Judge Kennedy to the Court in 1987, these far-left special interest groups impugned his character. They cooked up apocalyptic warnings about all the terrible things that would happen to Americans if he were confirmed to the Court. Of course, the American people didn’t buy it. And a majority of senators saw through the hyperbole and hysteria and confirmed that qualified nominee. And, believe it or not, the sky did not fall.” (Sen. McConnell, Remarks, 7/09/2018)

THE LEFT ON THEN-JUDGE KENNEDY’S NOMINATION TO THE SUPREME COURT: A ‘Troubling’ ‘Sexist’ ‘Unqualified To Sit On The High Court’

NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR WOMEN ON KENNEDY: A ‘Sexist’ Who ‘Would Be A Disaster For Women’

“The National Organization for Women yesterday became the first major organization to oppose Supreme Court nominee Anthony M. Kennedy… and branded Kennedy a ‘sexist’ unqualified to sit on the high court. … NOW President Molly Yard told a news conference that Kennedy, a federal appeals court judge in Sacramento, ‘would be a disaster for women’ if confirmed as a justice.” (“NOW Opposes Kennedy For Supreme Court,” The Washington Post, 11/20/1987)

“The National Organization for Women Thursday became the first major interest group to announce its opposition to Supreme Court nominee Anthony M. Kennedy … ‘I'm here to say it is totally unacceptable for a sexist to sit on the Supreme Court,’ NOW President Molly Yard declared in announcing the 160,000-member group's position at a press conference.” (“NOW Opposes Judge Kennedy for Supreme Court,” Los Angeles Times, 11/20/1987)

PEOPLE FOR THE AMERICAN WAY ON KENNEDY: ‘Troubling’

“‘…troubling questions about Kennedy's position on civil rights and sex discrimination,’ said Ricki Seidman, legal director for People for the American Way.” (“A Product Of Two Sides Of Town,” LA Times, 12/14/1987)

NAN ARON ON KENNEDY: ‘I Am Troubled’

“‘I am troubled by some of his opinions in the civil rights area,’ said Nan Aron of the Alliance for Justice.” (“Early Senate Reviews Indicate Confirmation Likely,” The Washington Post, 11/12/1987)