Local GOP supports Bush's nominee for U.S. Supreme Court
November 02, 2005

PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA - The leadership of the Republican Party of American Samoa said yesterday they are in solid support of President Bush's nominee, Appeals Court Judge Samuel A. Alito, to be Associate Justice on the United States Supreme Court.

On Monday President Bush, hoping by his choice of Alito to usher in a historic new era of judicial conservatism, said of his nominee: "Judge Alito has a deep understanding of the proper role of judges in our society. He understands that judges are to interpret the laws, not to impose their preference or priorities on the people."

American Samoa GOP Chairman Tautai Fa'alevao stated, "The smears against Judge Alito are unfair. He is a Federal Judge in New Jersey with established impeccable credentials and he has well-known views on constitutional issues. I mean, there's no doubt that this man is very qualified. People consider him a brilliant jurist, and so you can't argue with qualifications."

Republican National Committeeman HC Te'o J. Fuavai added, "I don't believe the U. S. House and Senate have ever been as partisan and bitterly divided as they are right now."

"However, on the grounds of temperament and accomplishments, I believe Alito should be given a chance to have his nomination voted on, up or down, in the Senate," continued Te'o. "He has a remarkable level of experience, he seems like a strong pick and I know he'll do well on the Supreme Court."

Aumua Amata, who has served as American Samoa's Republican National Committeewoman for the past 20 consecutive years and is ranked fifth in seniority on the RNC, said, "Judge Alito's an impressive man with extraordinary, excellent qualifications. Moreover, he's a very nice guy, laid back, friendly, unassuming and charming. I like him. He's a natural for the Supreme Court and I believe he'll get the votes he needs, from both Republicans and Democrats in the United States Senate."