Denver, CO - President Bush lost the opportunity to unite the country with a moderate nomination for the Supreme Court to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Instead the White House has chosen a potentially divisive candidate to distract from its current problems.

According to news sources, President Bush interviewed Judge Samuel Alito, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, but chose to nominate Harriet Miers instead. When Miers’ nomination was undermined by extremists, Bush chose Alito, who has a more conservative judicial record.

"The stakes in selecting a replacement for Justice O’Connor are high," said Colorado Democratic Party Chair, Pat Waak. "Justice O’Connor has been the deciding voice in cases of individual rights and civil liberties among a narrowly divided Supreme Court. We are waiting to get a closer look at Judge Alito’s record; however, sources referring to him as 'little Scalia' are not encouraging."

American citizens will be watching the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings but are already concerned with the performance of the President. The USA Today/CNN Gallup Poll on October 28, 2005 indicates that George W. Bush’s disapproval rating is up to 56%. The President missed an opportunity to show he has a better command of his job and the selection process.