WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT DAY ONE OF THE GORSUCH HEARING

Following the first day of hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee to consider Judge Neil Gorsuch for the Supreme Court, praise from across the political spectrum is nearly universal about his nomination:

SCOTUSBlog’s Amy Howe: “Gorsuch has been very eloquent — his manner in his opening statement was very reminiscent of John Roberts 11 years ago.”

Washington Post’s Sean Sullivan: “Key Democratic senator introducing Gorsuch has ‘open mind’”

New York Times’s Confirmation Hearing Briefing: “Senator Michael Bennet, Democrat of Colorado, introduced Mr. Gorsuch, his fellow Coloradan, with high praise but stayed studiously ambiguous about how he would vote.”

Former Obama Solicitor General Neal Katyal: “There is a reason why our Supreme Court Bar has lined up behind Gorsuch. There is a reason why the American Bar Association has given him the highest rating. I’ve seen him in action, and I have seen him in cases, and studied his written opinions. This is a first rate intellect and fair and decent man.”

• “We agree on the most important things that all people are equal before the law and that a judge’s duty is to uphold the law and uphold these principles and the Constitution above all. The Judge has done that during his time on the bench and I know he continues to do so as a Justice on the Supreme Court. It is my honor to recommend that his nomination be recorded favorably.”

Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO): “Judge Neil Gorsuch, the son of Colorado, born and raised in Denver with a distinguished record of public service, private practice and outstanding integrity and intellect.”

• “I believe Judge Gorsuch is unquestionably committed to the rule of law.”

Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO): “It’s this appropriate temperament, this fidelity to the constitution, this remarkable humility that has made Judge Gorsuch a consensus legal and legislative pick among colorado’s diverse communities.”

• “Judge Gorsuch appreciates the rule of law and respect at the considered judgment of those who came before him.”

Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT): “Judge Gorsuch has spent more than a decade on the federal bench. He graduated from Harvard Law School, he clerked for the Supreme Court, he served in the Department of Justice. He received a unanimous, well-qualified rating from the American Bar Association, all things very positive for a Supreme Court nominee.”

Senator Mike Lee (R-UT): “I had the good fortune of appearing in front of you on the Tenth Circuit and so I know from my own personal experience that you are one of the best judges in the country.”

• “You come to oral arguments prepared and you asked fair and probing questions that are designed to get at one thing and one thing only which is what the law says and what the law requires in each individual case, depending on the facts and circumstances of that case.”

• “What is most impressive, and for our purposes what’s most important about your career and about the approach you take to the law is your fierce independence from partisan influence and from any personal bias that you might otherwise be inclined to harbor.”

Denver Broncos’ General Manager and Hall-of-Famer John Elway: “A native of Colorado, Neil has demonstrated tremendous intelligence, character and fairness while serving for more than a decade on the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. His credentials, integrity and sound moral compass are major reasons why he’s already received so much bipartisan support for his nomination.”

• “Neil is a big Denver Broncos fan, and I can tell you that I’m a big fan of his. I look forward to having Neil Gorsuch, one of our own from the great state of Colorado, as the next Supreme Court Justice.”

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