Clarence Thomas , black conservative nominated to replace Justice Thurgood Marshall , went before the Senate Judiciary Committee today with the committee sharply divided as to whether or not the nominee should be quizzed on his views on specific issues which might affect Thomas . ; Thomas smiled broadly as he shook hands with Biden and other members of the committee in advance of the opening gavel. Democrats Biden , Kohl , Kennedy , Leahy , and Metzenbaum indicated that they would probe for Thomas 's thinking on natural law , abortion , privacy , civil rights , affirmative action , his attitude towards Congress and other subjects . Republicans Johnson and Hatch spoke of avoiding inappropriate questions while President Bush asked lawmakers to " preserve the independence of the court " by avoiding asking the nominee how he should vote .
Clarence Thomas , black conservative nominated to replace Justice Thurgood Marshall , went before the Senate Judiciary Committee today with the committee sharply divided as to whether or not the nominee should be quizzed on his views on specific issues which might affect Thomas . Democrats Biden , Kohl , Kennedy , Leahy , and Metzenbaum indicated that they would probe for Thomas 's thinking on natural law , abortion , privacy , civil rights , affirmative action , his attitude towards Congress and other subjects . Republicans Johnson and Hatch spoke of avoiding inappropriate questions while President Bush asked lawmakers to " preserve the independence of the court " by avoiding asking the nominee how he should vote .