Bork weighs options

Press, 9 October 1987, Page 6

Bork weighs options

NZPA-Reuter Washington As votes continue to mount against him, Robert Bork, President Reagan’s controversial nominee for the United States Supreme Court, is considering whether to keep on fighting or quit the battle, Senate supporters said. Judge Bork, depicted by foes as an extremist who could erode major Supreme Court decisions on social issues such as abortion and civil rights, met Mr Reagan and conservative Senate Supporters yesterday to as-

sess the situation. Several southern Democrats whose support is considered crucial to his chances said they would, vote against him. Opponents say Mr Reagan sees Judge Bork, aged 60, as his chance to perpetuate his conservative social agenda beyond his Presidency. Judge Bork would replace a moderate, Justice Lewis Powell, who often cast the key vote on close decisions. “He (Judge Bork) said he wanted to think about it and discuss it with his

wife and children,” the Texas Republican, Phil Gramm, said after the meeting at' the United States Capitol, where Judge Bork, was urged not to quit. The Senate Republican leader, Robert Dole, said Judge Bork was unhappy after, Tuesday’s 9-5 defeat in the Senate Judiciary Committee, but added: "He feels a lot better about it today.” Mr Dole had raised the possibility on Tuesday that Judge Bork might want to withdraw before the full 100-member Senate has a chance to vote