[Roberts replied that any judge would first turn to Roe's reaffirmation in Casey.] It's a settled precedent of the court, entitled to respect under principles of stare decisis, ... And those principles, applied in the Casey case, explain when cases should be revisited and when they should not.

Judge Casey said his ruling was dictated by a 5 to 4 Supreme Court ruling in 2000, which held that Roe v. Wade protects partial-birth abortion.

that's a misuse of precedent, not a correct use of precedent.

If 'settled' means that it can't be re-examined, that's one thing. If 'settled' means that it is a precedent that is entitled to respect then it is a precedent that is protected.

President Bush has nominated Roberts to become the most powerful judge on the nation's highest court. The public has a right to see documents that will give us more information about his judicial philosophy. If the White House continues to stall, then it begs the question, 'What is the president hiding, and why?' ... I applaud Senators Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold for stating they will ask Roberts the tough questions and expect clear answers. We are urging Wisconsinites who value freedom and privacy to call their senators and urge them to oppose Roberts' nomination.

I think it is a jolt to the legal system when you overturn precedent. ... It is not enough that you may think that a prior decision was wrongly decided,