'Ten Commandments judge' won't rule out challenge to Bush

WorldNetDaily ^ | February 2, 2004 | WorldNetDaily.com

[TBP]

Ousted Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore is focused on trying to get his job back but will not rule out a third-party run for the presidency that could threaten President Bush's re-election chances.

At a recent speaking engagement, the man who became famous for his defense of a Ten Commandments monument was asked during a question-and-answer session whether he would run for president, reported Wall Street Journal columnist John Fund.

"Not right now," Moore said, according to Fund, who noted Moore's friends say he is undecided about whether to run for president or to wait two years and seek Alabama's governorship.

Jessica Atterbury, a spokeswoman for Moore, emphasized yesterday to WorldNetDaily Moore is focused on his appeal to the Alabama Supreme Court but indicated he would not rule out a candidacy for the country's highest office.

"Anything is possible," she told WND. "However, until the appeal process has been run through, he'll make no decision for political office."

Atterbury said Moore believes he has an obligation to the people who elected him to appeal the Alabama Supreme Court's Nov. 13 decision that stripped him of his chief justice position for defiance of a federal judge's order to remove a Ten Commandments monument.

"He is fighting for his job back for the people of Alabama," Atterbury said. "So he feels he needs to take every legal avenue possible to become chief justice again."

Earlier this month, Moore asked the state's high court to restore him to office, calling his expulsion "dangerous."

In legal briefs, he argued the decision sets a "dangerous precedent" that requires judges to deny their oath of office by barring acknowledgement of God, which is stipulated in Alabama's constitution.

A special court has been seated to hear Moore's appeal. A decision is expected in the next month or so.

Fund commented that while third-party campaigns by social conservatives have fizzled in the past, Moore could make a difference in a close race.

He noted last Saturday Moore was a featured speaker at the Christian Coalition's "Family and Freedom" rally in Atlanta. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported he was "treated like a rock star, signing autographs and getting thunderous standing ovations."

One week prior to that event, Moore spoke at a dinner in Lancaster, Pa., sponsored by the Constitution Party, which has the third-largest number of registered voters in the U.S. The party's presidential candidate, Howard Phillips, was on 41 state ballots in 2000, Fund noted.

Richard Winger, an authority on independent candidates, told Fund he believes Moore could rally enough support to sustain a presidential candidacy.

"If he can get on talk shows and stir up conservative voters he could easily get significantly more than the usual third-party vote totals," said Winger, editor of Ballot Access News.

Winger points out the Constitution Party has 320,000 registered voters nationwide and guaranteed ballot access in large states such as California and Pennsylvania.

With its convention scheduled June 22, Moore would have enough time to exhaust his appeal before Alabama courts.

Fund notes reporters who want to see President Bush face a tight race this year will be particularly interested in covering him. That's why Republican strategists are trying to talk Moore into campaigning this year for GOP candidates who agree with his stance.

"He can get a lot of attention this year for his themes," a strategist told Fund. "The question is whether he does it in a way that will help conservatives or whether he tries to do it in a way that could make him the Ralph Nader spoiler of the right in 2004."

[TBP]

That strategist is absolutely right. Moore could well be the "Ralph Nader of the right," to use his term. This guy would attract a lot of conservatives to his banner, especially since so many conservatives are disgruntled with Bush and the Republican Congress right now. Were he to run, his candidacy would get enough votes to put the Constitution Party on the map.

I told somebody that the candidate who could draw me in right away was the one who pledged to put Judge Moore on the Supreme Court. Judge Moore himself would be an even more exciting choice.

[GeronL]

Moore is not strong in the rest of the state.. he should run for Governor

[COEXERJ145]

The idiot would attract just enough of his fellow drinkers to insure the election was thrown to Kerry.

[TBP]

You would be surprised at the strength he has in other states. I recently attended one of his speeches and it was quite well attended. Even one of the Democrat legislators -- a black, at that -- showed up!

[TBP]

It's the Bushies who are the Kool Aid drinkers, blindly supporting a candidate who has given us virtually nothing, but has betrayed us on virtually every issue other than tax cuts and the war.

If not for the war, Bush would have a challenger in the Republican primaries.

[Keyes2000mt]

And you've got a great plan to stop him.

[Coto]

I'd most surly vote for him before ANY of the Seven Dwarfs that the Demos are pushin'....

I'd even think about doing the same over GW.....

[TheEaglehasLanded]

I believe you are correct, it's like Deja Vu all over again. His father had a 90% approval rating in Feb 91 and lost 21 months later, W had a 90% approval rating in Oct 01, 25 months later he is in jeapordy of blowing it.

His father took his base for granted to get along with the Dems and they stabbed him in the back the rest of his administration.

Same old same old, W has given into the DEMS on the Farm Bill, Education, CFR, Prescription Drugs, Illegal Aliens, AIDS for Africa, NEA, Going to the UN over Iraq, and it hasn't bought him any praise from them and they blame him for the deficit as well.

Wake up President before it's too late

[Kudsman]

bttt to see where this one goes.

[longtermmemmory]

What happens if he is RE-elected to the same post? That would be a kick in the pants to the aclu.

[DameAutour]

Hmm, there are a number of things that this Judge could do that could have greater impact than a failed run for the Presidency. He will not win, and at best, can only siphon enough voters for a Democrat to win the election. That's the best he could achieve if he ran for President now. He'd sell the country down the drain for what? To send a message? Here are better ideas:

1. Get his original position back. He's then in line for juicier appointments and at the very least he can be of use to the state of Alabama.

2. A federal court nomination/appointment.

3. A Supreme Court nomination/appointment.

He may be too controversial to get any kind of judicial appointment through Congress. Other ideas:

4. Run for Governor. This would be HUGH.

5. Run for Congress. See my tagline. I'm series about this. Congress is the difference-maker right now.

6. Run for President in 2008. Especially if he has already done either number 4 or 5.

[Arthur McGowan]

I will vote for any candidate who runs on this platform: "The 16th Amendment was legitimately ratified by only 24 states. The certification of its ratification by the Secretary of State in 1912 was fraudulent. Therefore my first act as President will be an Executive Order directing the Secretary of State to de-certify the ratification of the 16th Amendment."

[Texasforever]

Hey Tom Tancredo is the man to beat according to many on FR.

[zook]

"Jethro!! Elly May!! Go out to see Judge Moore at the cee-ment pond!!! He's runnin' for pres-ee-dent!" [Sound of banjo in background]

I'm just getting a bit sick and tired of people willing to abandon American national security during time of war.

[The_Eaglet]

I'm just getting a bit sick and tired of people willing to abandon American national security during time of war.

Me too. President Bush needs to stop giving illegal aliens a free ticket to bypass immigration procedures.

[Ahban]

Roy Moore as a Constitution Party candidate could very well be the next President of the United States. He does not have to win a majority of electoral votes. He only has to win one or two states to insure no candidate gets a majority of electoral votes. It then goes to Congress.

The Dems hate W and the GOP so much they would vote Roy Moore if their guy had no chance. Enough conservative Republicans are fed up that "to break the deadlock" they could go for it too.


If it happens, it will later prove to be a huge mistake for the Democrats, because the Constitition Party will be their philosophical opponents, the GOP right now is merely their philosophical rivals, offering the same ideas at a slightly slower pace.) That may explain the hatred for the GOP, they are both appealing to the same voter-buyoff mindset now.

[commish]

Roy Moore as a Constitution Party candidate could very well be the next President of the United States

ROFL!!!!! Please tell me you don't actually believe this.

I hate to break the bubble of all of you out there, but your great revolution of voters consists of you, a few more people around FR, and another few handfuls of people at other websites. Roy Moore would get at best 3-4% of the vote nationwide, and maybe 5-10% in a few select states (ones where that would be just enough to give the win to the Dems).

All that would do is insure that the party to destroy ALL vestiges of religion is in power.

[lasereye]

It's the Bushies who are the Kool Aid drinkers, blindly supporting a candidate who has given us virtually nothing, but has betrayed us on virtually every issue other than tax cuts and the war.

That's a lie. Bush has signed the partial birth abortion ban and appointed predominantly conservative judges.

[TonyRo76]

3. A Supreme Court nomination/appointment.

I especially like #3. That would show everyone that Bush is serious about getting great judges on the SCOTUS and undoing the damage of earlier Supreme Courts (including the current one).

[familyofman]

Well, I haven't ruled out my challege to Bush yet either.

[lugsoul]

Ping. Enjoy.

[Britton J Wingfield]

What you said.

[sinkspur]

If Moore runs against Bush THIS YEAR he will prove just what I've been saying all along: that his Ten Commandments stunt was just a way to get into politics and further his political career.

For those folks who think this is some kind of "principled" man, just watch what he does over the next few months.

[Scenic Sounds]

I will vote for any candidate who runs on this platform: "The 16th Amendment was legitimately ratified by only 24 states. The certification of its ratification by the Secretary of State in 1912 was fraudulent. Therefore my first act as President will be an Executive Order directing the Secretary of State to de-certify the ratification of the 16th Amendment."

Are you trying to start trouble or something? ;-)

[lugsoul]

I really enjoy all the talk of getting him on the SCOTUS. First, there is all this talk of him being a "great judge" - coming from people who I doubt could list more than one decision he authored as CJ of the 'Bama Supreme Court. What makes him a "great judge"? The 10C fight?

In addition, what President in their right mind is going to nominate someone who is so careless in what he says that he will completely alienate a segment of the electorate? Given that Moore doesn't think Hinduism or Buddhism are "religions," it would be interesting to see what his nomination would do to the Indian-American vote or the Asian-American vote. Not to mention the fact that Moore's televangelist backers all openly espouse that, in the endtimes that are most surely upon us, all of the Jews must either convert or die.

If he tried his hand at national politics, it would only be a matter of time before Rove and the GOP operatives tried to frag him the same way his troops in Nam did.

[dwd1]

Actually, Richard Shelby is the one who needs to be nervous...

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

" I would like the thank the Constitution and invite them all to DC for my Inaugural!"

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

" I would like the thank the Constitution Party and invite them all to DC for my Inaguaral!"

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

oops

[Scenic Sounds]

Given that Moore doesn't think Hinduism or Buddhism are "religions,"

Oh, c'mon, I'm sure he just meant that they're not real religions. ;-)

[mhx]

I'm just getting a bit sick and tired of people willing to abandon American national security during time of war.

We have to be careful not to think that George Bush is the only human being on the face of the planet who could and would pursue the war successfully.

I can think of half a dozen people who I would trust to continue fighting the war.

Does anyone here know Judge Moore's position on it?

[lugsoul]

Actually, he just says they are not "religions" for purposes of the 1st Amendment. They may be "religions" for some purposes, but not for legal protection.

[zook]

That's alright. It's a message worth seeing twice.

[Scenic Sounds]

Does anyone here know Judge Moore's position on it?

I don't know his position on the war and I'm not sure he's ever had to give it a lot of thought.

I do think that a guy like him could cause a lot of trouble were he to launch a third party Presidential crusade, though. I doubt that it would be his position on the war that would make him unelectable nationally. I think what would doom him would be nagging questions like how he might feel about even married people having sex with the light on.

[Scenic Sounds]

Actually, he just says they are not "religions" for purposes of the 1st Amendment. They may be "religions" for some purposes, but not for legal protection.

He's not one of those "strict construction" types, I guess.

[lugsoul]

He is, as long as you're talking about the KJV. Everything else must be read in that context.

[WhiteGuy]

" and at best, can only siphon enough voters for a Democrat to win the election"

Are you suggesting that the votes the judge might earn are actually the property of one of the majority parties?

Just wondering..........

[DameAutour]

I think it would be great if Judge Moore could get on the Supreme Court.

Unfortunately, as I said in my post, I doubt he'd make it through Congress. I think Congress is a bigger problem than Bush, when it comes to getting conservative judges. They're filibustering the best judges, and this judge has already caused a lot of controversy. I think it is highly unlikely that he'd make it past the CINOS, much less the democrats. They need more conservatives in Congress for someone like Moore to be appointed.

[DameAutour]

Are you suggesting that the votes the judge might earn are actually the property of one of the majority parties?

I am suggesting that if Roy Moore makes a significant showing in the general election, many of the votes he receives would have gone to Bush. A few of them would have voted for some other third party candidate, and some may not have voted at all. But if he gets anything above 1%, then a lot of them would have voted for the Republican candidate, in this case, Bush.

I am not saying if that is a good thing or a bad thing, although the owner of this website has made it clear that this website will not support anyone who would work to get a Democrat in the White House. Unless those who vote for Roy Moore are doing so because they want him to win (and not to send a message), then they are working to put a Democrat in the White House. UNLESS, they're in a state that is very solidly Republican, and that's pretty shaky. If you don't want an Extreme-Socialist Democrat in the White House, this election is too risky to vote for anyone other than Bush. If you don't think having a Democrat is worse than Bush, then that's on you. I don't tell anyone how to vote.

[Ahban]

Yes, I actually believe it. Roy Moore has to win exactly ONE conservative state to throw the Presidential election to Congress. He has already won a statewide race in Alabama and W has been urinating on his base for some time now. W would have to run a national campaign. Moore could focus all his resources in the three or four states where he has the best chance to win.

It absolutely could happen. Once it goes to Congress, it is entirely possible that vengance-minded Democrats would vote with a handfull of disaffected Conservative Congressmen to award Moore the Presidency.

Once people realize that they only have to propel Moore to victory in one state in order to give him a shot at it, his odds go WAY up. It really is not that hard to understand.

[WhiteGuy]

"the owner of this website has made it clear that this website will not support anyone who would work to get a Democrat in the White House."

Since you speak for Mr. Robinson, please address the position of the website regarding those who will NOT work to put a democrat in the WH, but WILL work to elect a conservative who is not gwb.

[TonyRo76]

They need more conservatives in Congress for someone like Moore to be appointed.

I can see your point there. Actually I'd love to get more conservatives in Congress, period!

[TBP]

No Child Left Behind is Teddy Kennedy's education bill. There is no Federal role in education according to the Constitution, and Federal money brings Federal control. The least they could have done was include some vouchers and tax credits and other school choice provisions, but that got stripped at the request of the Dimmycraps.

Bush went along with the unconstitutional campaign fianace bill that the liberals wanted, which makes it illegal to criticize a Federal candidate 60 days before an election.

He supported a massive, bloated farm bill, then supplemented it with an insurance bill for the farmers.

He supported steel tarrifs.

His amnesty by another name is a liberal plan that will encourage illegal immigration.

He apologized to the Chinese after they shot down our airplane.

On issue after issue, Bush has advanced the liberal cause. That is why we have a bloated $2.4 trillion budget with a deficit of over $500 billion.

[lasereye]

He has advanced or attempted to advance the conservative cause on a slew of issues, like abortion, EPA reforms, expanded domestic energy drilling. The education bill was passed when the Dems controlled the Senate. It was either that or nothing. You might prefer he had chosen nothing, but he made a campaign promise to do more on education and felt he had to get something passed. I'm not crazy about a number of things he's done, but the Senate as presently constituted limits him.

In any event, his judges have been overwhelmingly conservative, which is one of a President's legacies that lives on long after he's no longer in office. That in itself is reason enough to reelect him, unless you want a Supreme Court ruling a few years from now that the constitution mandates allowing gay marriages.

[kegler4]

"I especially like #3. That would show everyone that Bush is serious about getting great judges on the SCOTUS and undoing the damage of earlier Supreme Courts (including the current one)."

Moore is a great judge because he illegally erected a monument and then lost his job when he refused to take it down? What a laugh.

[TonyRo76]

Moore is a great judge because he illegally erected a monument and then lost his job when he refused to take it down? What a laugh.

No, he's a great judge because he honors America's godly heritage and knows where our laws originally come from.

And he's an outstanding judge because he stood firm, even to the point of self sacrifice, against the hordes of atheist ACLU whiny-weenies who would obliterate every public reference to religion in America, and drive Christians "underground" as in ancient Rome.

IMO a statesman like Moore who stands up for truth and against despicable secularist creeps and their smarmy lawyers deserves tremendous thanks!

[mabelkitty]

I can't stomach another 8 years of a Dem President, thank you.

I'll stick to voting rebellious in House and Senate races, in addition to local races, but I draw the line at the Presidency - it's too irresponsible.

[mabelkitty]

Kinda like another "revered" Southern Christian Man - Jimmah Carter.

[mabelkitty]

Is your name Todd?

[lioness]

I agree. Personally, I consider Judge Moore to be the only real "hero" I've seen in years. Except for our poor boys dying in Iraq and Afghanistan, of course. Moore has taken a stand that many of us need to - to stand up for right and the laws of the Ten Commandments. Instead of wasting our time trying to fight this government to keep the Ten Commandments posted in our lawmaking houses, why not post them in our private businesses and our yards? Then at least they are visible, unless the anti-Commandments movers want to make that illegal. We could start a movement.