Clinton Formally Introduces Breyer as a Reformer

President Clinton formally introduced his compromise choice for the Supreme Court to the nation Monday, saying that scholarly appeals court Judge Stephen G. Breyer brings to the bench the “heart and head of a reformer.”

In a Rose Garden ceremony, Clinton called Breyer a proven “consensus builder” and predicted that he would join the emerging centrist majority on the court. The President made it clear that he had not sought a liberal ideologue who would sit in lonely opposition but a moderate who could help the high court speak with a unified voice on major public issues.

He also sought to show the human side of Breyer, whom associates have described as cordial but somewhat aloof. Even Clinton did not warm up to Breyer last year when the judge was runner-up for the court seat now occupied by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Clinton passed over Breyer after an interview in which aides later said there had been little “chemistry” between the two men.

In what was interpreted as a sign of his desire for a consensus builder on the court, Clinton stressed the importance of the unanimity of the famous Brown vs. Board of Education ruling that outlawed school desegregation. His remarks indicated a belief in the need for a court that avoids ambiguity in its ruling by speaking with one voice.

The choice is not inconsistent with his own political style of seeking consensus on major policy questions.

In what may be symbolic of their relationship so far, Clinton’s efforts to bond with Breyer on Sunday and Monday were partly stymied by amusing snags and missed communications. The White House van sent to Washington National Airport to pick up Breyer and his family on Sunday failed to locate him. Breyer cruised the airport in a taxi until he linked up with the official transportation.

Breyer and his family spent Sunday night at the White House. Monday morning, Breyer, an avid runner and cyclist, was scheduled to jog with Clinton, but the two failed once again to make the connection and the President left the White House without him.

When asked by reporters where Breyer was, Clinton replied: “I don’t know where he is. I thought he was going with me.”

Two miles into a three-mile run, Clinton suddenly stopped in front of the Capitol to await his guest, who arrived in a Secret Service vehicle. The two then jogged back to the White House, where they performed stretching exercises together on the South Lawn.

At the Rose Garden ceremony at midday, Clinton said that the case for Breyer’s confirmation is “clear and compelling.”

“In addition to his extraordinary intellectual talents, Judge Breyer will bring to the court an abiding sense of decency and unswerving dedication to ensuring liberty and justice for all,” Clinton said.

Several members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will consider the Breyer nomination in the next few weeks, looked on approvingly as Clinton and Breyer spoke. The Boston judge’s chief sponsor, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), and conservative Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) said they were delighted with the appointment and predicted easy confirmation.

The only sour note was struck by liberal Sen. Howard M. Metzenbaum (D-Ohio), who said he had “strong reservations and deep concerns” about the appointment because Breyer appeared to favor corporate over consumer rights in a number of antitrust decisions.

Metzenbaum also complained that Clinton should not have allowed Hatch’s opposition to scuttle the appointment of Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt to the court. It appeared last week that Clinton was on the verge of naming Babbitt to the seat being vacated by Justice Harry A. Blackmun, but backed away after being told of the opposition of several key Western senators, including Hatch.

Metzenbaum said he is withholding judgment on whether he will vote to confirm Breyer until he has heard his testimony.

Babbitt took pains to show that he is happy in his job and has the President’s firm support.

At a morning meeting for all Interior Department employees, Babbitt was introduced by deputy White House Chief of Staff Phil Lader, who told employees of Clinton’s “excitement” about Babbitt’s work and praised the “willingness he has to continue serving his President.” Babbitt bounded down a lengthy aisle to a standing ovation, pumping hands and hugging employees along the way.

In his remarks at the White House, Breyer paid tribute to his wife, Joanna, a clinical psychologist, his three children and his parents.

“I only wish, too, naturally, there could be sitting here my father, who spent 40 years helping to administer the public school system of San Francisco, and my mother, who taught us by example that the education of her children meant so very much more than material comforts,” the jurist said. “And, of course, her father, who came in 1900 to Ellis Island. he was a cobbler from Poland. I mean, he wouldn’t have believed today.”

Breyer ducked questions about his judicial philosophy and his views on abortion.

Times staff writer Melissa Healy contributed to this story.