Posted on 04/19/2005 8:37:21 PM PDT by kingattax
WASHINGTON (AP) - House Majority Leader Tom DeLay intensified his criticism of the federal courts on Tuesday, singling out Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy's work from the bench as "incredibly outrageous" because he has relied on international law and done research on the Internet.
DeLay said he thought there were a "lot of Republican-appointed judges that are judicial activists."
The No. 2 Republican in the House has openly criticized the federal courts since they refused to order the reinsertion of Terri Schiavo's feeding tube. And he pointed to Kennedy as an example of Republican members of the Supreme Court who were activist and isolated.
"Absolutely. We've got Justice Kennedy writing decisions based upon international law, not the Constitution of the United States? That's just outrageous," DeLay told Fox News Radio. "And not only that, but he said in session that he does his own research on the Internet? That is just incredibly outrageous."
A spokeswoman for the court, Kathy Arberg, said Kennedy could not be reached for comment.
Although Kennedy was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Reagan, a conservative icon, he has aroused conservatives' ire by sometimes agreeing with the court's more liberal members. Nevertheless, it is unusual for a congressional leader to single out a Supreme Court justice for criticism.
Dan Allen, a DeLay spokesman, declined comment on the interview.
DeLay himself has been criticized for his comments following Schiavo's death, which came despite Congress' passage of a law giving the federal courts jurisdiction to review her case. They declined to intervene.
"The time will come for the men responsible for this to answer for their behavior," DeLay said in a statement.
He apologized last week, saying he had spoken in an "inartful" way.
Conservatives have been pushing to get the Senate to confirm President Bush's most conservative judicial nominees, which Senate Democrats are blocking. The House has no power over which judges are given lifetime appointments to the federal bench.
However, DeLay has called repeatedly for the House to find a way to hold the federal judiciary accountable for its decisions. "The judiciary has become so activist and so isolated from the American people that it's our job to do that," DeLay said.
One way would be for the House Judiciary Committee to investigate the clause in the Constitution that says "judges can serve as long as they serve with good behavior," he said. "We want to define what good behavior means. And that's where you have to start."
Well!! Is it any wonder that the Progressive Democrats are after Cong. Delay!! Let's start clearing the benches of these European Loving Judges. Let them go to Europe and practice their Socialist law. You too Teddy get your fat ASS on a boat along with the rest of your Socialist Ilk and get out of the US.
As opposed to, say, John Kerrey? Screw "nuance".
Arnold is also showing some backbone.
Unfortunately, Bush is a lost cause. A complete sell-out like his dad.
People have also suggested Delay for President.
IMO, I'd consider him in either role though I'd be relunctant to lose an effective leader in the House. I do think the House could sustain his loss though.
Where we need an effective Leader is in the Senate. Someone that will not tolerate the stunt the three Amigos pulled today in committee. Delay would be more than qualified, though it would be a thankless job playing baby sitter to the group.
It's all about keepin' those cards and letters comin'.
Tom DeLay couldn't win a Republican primary.
how would you like to listen to these idiots when the TV cameras are off ?
I think you have really hit on something there.
Delay is now leading, and leading hard. Dare I say walking the walk and talking the talk?
This matches the GWBush walking the walk dilema faced by the left and the rinos.
It is their worst nightmare of words having meaning. It destroys the leftist politics since they can not do empty promises with no actions.
It prevents the left from taking conservative postitions verbally but doing leftist acts.
I hope Rove sees the value of this for 2006.
Yeah, but if we had someone else out front, we would be in serious danger of actually accomplishing something, and who needs that hassle?
To the Honorable Majority Leader: Tom Delay.
Mr. Delay, I firmly believe that the only crime you are guilty of, (in the eyes of the dying party that was once known as the Democrat Party), is that you are extremely effective. I also believe the Liberals fear you, and what you so strongly stand for.
The left simply has nothing to offer but the same old politics of personal destruction. They offer absolutely nothing in the arena of ideals that will move the Nation forward. So they revert to baseless personal attacks that they justify by claiming that we did it to them when we exposed Bill Clinton's disgraceful behavior while he was the President, as well as his many failed policies. We do not suffer from these basic flaws and they know it, so their only option is to sling as much mud as they can in the hopes that something will stick.
Keep up the great work Mr. Delay, the truth is on your side and leaders like yourself are used to this kind of sniping from the cheap seats. After all it's easy to be a Liberal, liberals consider the lack of leadership as being tolerant.
P.S. Your leadership on the Terri Schiavo case is what I expect from a leader. Despite the popular opinion polls, you stood tall and even though I live in Maryland, YOU ARE MY CONGRESSMAN God Bless You! Tom Delay, Mike *****, (Proud Freeper and member of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy) :-)
very impressive letter.....we ALL need to let him know we support him.
Delay may be the real McCoy.
I give him better odds than Frist or McCain.
I wouldn't. Tis why it would be a thankless job to ask Delay to oversee these brats.
true perhaps. but where are the other voices in the republican and white house political apparatus that will say even a modestly unflattering word about the judiciary? how are you supposed to explain to americans why the fillibuster against our judges should be stopped, if you can't point out what is wrong with the judiciary right now?
you can't, someone has to say something. I tell you, if we walk into this senate rules fight and don't explain why it needs to be done, what the Dems are really up to in blocking these judges, we are going to get hurt.
Unfortunately, you are correct.
Thanks!
I guess Delay is not a lawyer or has never used Westlaw or Lexis. I mean I want to support Delay but if he doesnot have better staff than this!!!!! He should only talk about subjects he knows something about.
lol..good one !
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