But that will be a difficult position to defend in light of Mr. Thomas's success last year in deflecting liberal criticism. President Bush 's nomination of conservative black federal judge Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court invites a vigorous fight in the Senate . Although Thomas is smart , tough and speaks powerfully about overcoming racism and poverty in the deep south , his strong opposition to affirmative action raises issues with liberals . Thomas regards affirmative action as patronizing and an ineffective excuse for discrimination . Although Thomas has not committed himself on the issue of abortion , civil - rights groups are likely to be concerned about the fact that Thomas is Catholic and once considered entering the priesthood . There is also the issue of Thomas 's very limited judicial experience .
President Bush 's nomination of conservative black federal judge Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court invites a vigorous fight in the Senate . Although Thomas is smart , tough and speaks powerfully about overcoming racism and poverty in the deep south , his strong opposition to affirmative action raises issues with liberals . Thomas regards affirmative action as patronizing and an ineffective excuse for discrimination . Although Thomas has not committed himself on the issue of abortion , civil - rights groups are likely to be concerned about the fact that Thomas is Catholic and once considered entering the priesthood . There is also the issue of Thomas 's very limited judicial experience .