Posted on 01/29/2006 7:52:05 PM PST by Pikamax
Democrats didn't make their case on Alito, Obama says
BY JEFF ZELENY Chicago Tribune
WASHINGTON - Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., said he would vote Monday to filibuster Judge Samuel Alito's confirmation to the Supreme Court, but he conceded the effort would be futile and criticized Democrats for failing to persuade Americans to take notice of the court's changing ideological face.
"The Democrats have to do a much better job in making their case on these issues," Obama said Sunday on ABC News' "This Week." "These last-minute efforts - using procedural maneuvers inside the Beltway - I think has been the wrong way of going about it."
Despite his criticism, Obama announced his intention to support the maneuver designed to block - or delay - Alito's confirmation this week. The movement, which was launched by Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., appeared to lack the 41 senators needed to be successful.
Alito, a federal appeals court judge, is poised to succeed retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. The Senate is scheduled to cast a final vote on Alito's confirmation Tuesday.
The threat of a filibuster emerged late last week after liberal activists accused Democratic senators of failing to vigorously oppose Alito's ascension to the Supreme Court. After Kerry began the effort, several liberal groups mounted a campaign by Internet, telephone and fax to persuade other senators to follow suit.
"I will be supporting the filibuster because I think Judge Alito, in fact, is somebody who is contrary to core American values, not just liberal values," Obama said. "When you look at his decisions - in particular, during times of war - we need a court that is independent and is going to provide some check on the executive branch."
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
The Rats made their case, and the American people rejected it.
Any chance there was no case to make?
More Obama face time. That's all it is.
The democrats couldn't make their case without admitting they want judges who will ignore the constitution and follow opinion polls. They won't do that because they knew they'd be excoriated by the republicans. They lost because they're afraid to show their true faces.
...and you are proving it more and more every time you open your mouth and by the votes you make. So, go ahead...vote to fillibuster and futher alienate and marginalize yourself. That's all you will be doing.
My butt makes that noise after I eat cabbage & beans...
Ummm ... you had no case
Hey Obama, yer lips are moving but all I hear is:
"Durka Durka"
What's wrong with you?
"The Rats made their case, and the American people rejected it."
The Democrats have had the same result for the last 10 years at the voting booth. REJECTED! next?
So Obama is opposing the filibuster before supporting it? This really is a Kerry filibuster.
Was he for it before he was against or against it. .. . .
Oh yeah, Osama Obama will make a fine choice for the democrats in '08. Go, Aslamba Obama, go.
wheres the logic?
Sit down Obama.
Okay, Obama. You tell us. Please. Make your case.
It's pathetic. These empty headed ideologues keep telling us "We're right! We have a case! We just aren't getting the point across!"
Reminds of the people who keep saying "Socialism is a great thing, but it always has failed because they never did it right..."
He must live on Bakka Rakka Lakka Street...:)
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