Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

John McCain and Barack Obama: Two visions of the Supreme Court
The Los Angeles Times ^ | May 19, 2008 | David G. Savage

Posted on 05/19/2008 7:44:51 PM PDT by Clintonfatigued

John McCain and Barack Obama, the two leading presidential candidates, have set out sharply contrasting views on the role of the Supreme Court and the kind of justices they would appoint.

Sen. McCain (R-Ariz.), in a speech two weeks ago, echoed the views of conservatives who say "judicial activism" is the central problem facing the judiciary. He called it the "common and systematic abuse . . . by an elite group . . . we entrust with judicial power." On Thursday, he criticized the California Supreme Court for giving gays and lesbians the right to marry, saying he doesn't "believe judges should be making these decisions."

Sen. Obama (D-Ill.) said he was most concerned about a conservative court that tilted to the side of "the powerful against the powerless," and to corporations and the government against individuals. "What's truly elitist is to appoint judges who will protect the powerful and leave ordinary Americans to fend for themselves," he said in response to McCain.

During one campaign stop, Obama spoke admiringly of Chief Justice Earl Warren, the former California governor who led the court in the 1950s and '60s, when it struck down racial segregation and championed the cause of civil rights.

Obama has also praised current Justices Stephen G. Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and David H. Souter. "I want people on the bench who have enough empathy, enough feeling, for what ordinary people are going through," Obama said.

It is not just a theoretical policy debate.

Whoever is elected in November will probably have the chance to appoint at least one justice in the next presidential term. The court's two most liberal justices are its oldest: John Paul Stevens turned 88 last month, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg is 75.

McCain promised that, if elected, he would follow President Bush's model

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2008; alreadyposted; judges; mccain; mcjudges; obama; scotus
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-50 next last
To: Clintonfatigued

One thing for ABSOLUTE certainty, the next SCOTUS nominations WILL NOT match Justice Ginzburg’s confirmation vote. The U.S. Senate confirmed her by a 96 to 3 vote and she took her seat on August 10, 1993 as Bill Clinton’s 1st SCOTUS Justice (2nd was Stephen Breyer).


21 posted on 05/19/2008 8:21:58 PM PDT by SES1066 (Cycling to conserve, Conservative to save, Saving to Retire, will Retire to Cycle.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Clintonfatigued

Think: Who would you want to replace Scalia (God forbid) - McCain or Obama? McCain would appoint a conservative - because the base and even congress would expect it. Obama would replace our beloved Scalia with Ginsburg II. NO WAY!


22 posted on 05/19/2008 8:22:13 PM PDT by Norman Bates (Freepmail me to be part of the McCain List!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: Incorrigible
If Ginsburg were to retire and McLame were to nominate a constructionist like Alito or Roberts and the dems held up the process, who cares? The far left side would have one fewer advocate ... decisions that might have gone 5 - 4 will go 5 - 3. He could tell the leaker that his next nominee will be more conservative than his current one.

If only McLame was a conservative...

23 posted on 05/19/2008 8:31:21 PM PDT by Sgt_Schultze
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Clintonfatigued

I think SCOTUS nominees is the most important issues in this campaign. The War on Terror will take a turn but SCOTUS rulings have lifetime effects made by people with lifetime appointments.


24 posted on 05/19/2008 8:47:02 PM PDT by no dems (90% of Blacks vote for the only Black candidate; isn't that racist?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Clintonfatigued
Sen. McCain (R-Ariz.), in a speech two weeks ago, echoed the views of conservatives who say "judicial activism" is the central problem facing the judiciary. He called it the "common and systematic abuse . . . by an elite group . . . we entrust with judicial power." On Thursday, he criticized the California Supreme Court for giving gays and lesbians the right to marry, saying he doesn't "believe judges should be making these decisions."

Sen. Obama (D-Ill.) said he was most concerned about a conservative court that tilted to the side of "the powerful against the powerless," and to corporations and the government against individuals. "What's truly elitist is to appoint judges who will protect the powerful and leave ordinary Americans to fend for themselves," he said in response to McCain.

Supreme Court nominations and the War on Terror are the two most powerful reasons to NOT ALLOW A DEMOCRAT to take the White House, even if one IS pi$$ed at McCain.

25 posted on 05/19/2008 9:11:18 PM PDT by SuziQ
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Incorrigible
McCain will be facing 60 DemocRAT Senators.

Only if Republicans stay home in a huff, and don't get out and support Republican Senate candidates.

26 posted on 05/19/2008 9:14:57 PM PDT by SuziQ
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Clintonfatigued
I want people on the bench who have enough empathy, enough feeling, for what ordinary people are going through," Obama said.

That's scary.

27 posted on 05/19/2008 9:18:33 PM PDT by Graybeard58 (There are 3 kinds of people in the world, those who can count and those who can't.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Clintonfatigued
I want people on the bench who have enough empathy, enough feeling, for what ordinary people are going through," Obama said.

That's scary.

28 posted on 05/19/2008 9:18:49 PM PDT by Graybeard58
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Clintonfatigued

So there are still Republicans who will vote for Obama?


29 posted on 05/19/2008 9:24:28 PM PDT by Dagny&Hank
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Incorrigible
McCain will quickly cave and give us legacy of liberal SCOTUS judges for years and years to come!

And Obama will do what compared to McCain?

30 posted on 05/19/2008 9:25:47 PM PDT by Dagny&Hank
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Clintonfatigued

When we go to the polls, the only thing we have to go on is how the candidate conducted himself during his years prior to running. John McCain voted for Ginsberg, Breyer, Kennedy and Souter. John also joined the Democrats to form the Gang of 14.

I don’t be voting for this first class jackass.


31 posted on 05/19/2008 9:46:54 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (If you continue to hold your nose and vote, and always win, your nation will ultimately stink!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SuziQ

It doesn’t cause me concern that McCain will face 60 Democrat Senators. What concerns me is that when he proposes leftist legislation, only five or ten will disagree with him.


32 posted on 05/19/2008 9:48:45 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (If you continue to hold your nose and vote, and always win, your nation will ultimately stink!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: DoughtyOne

Can Operation Chaos be extended to the Senate — vote for enough Democrats so that they self-destruct in 2 years?


33 posted on 05/19/2008 9:56:08 PM PDT by Dagny&Hank
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: Dagny&Hank

As I understand it, Operation Chaos was not intended to get Cinton or Obama elected. It was intended to keep Hillary in so that she and Barack could rip each other to shreads rather than focus on McCain.

That would strengthen McCain’s chances.

Electing Democrats to the Senate would not be a similar idea at all.


34 posted on 05/19/2008 10:04:30 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (If you continue to hold your nose and vote, and always win, your nation will ultimately stink!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: Clintonfatigued

If ‘Bama wants to ban home heating and ration food that might be a big issue too.


35 posted on 05/19/2008 10:17:40 PM PDT by Impy (Obama, you are stupid and your wife smells.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Norman Bates

An obstetrician for Supreme Court Justice?


36 posted on 05/19/2008 10:37:24 PM PDT by iowamark
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Norman Bates

Oklahoma has rat governor.


37 posted on 05/19/2008 10:47:11 PM PDT by Impy (Obama, you are stupid and your wife smells.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: Clintonfatigued

Let’s not kid ourselves. McFudd will give the liberals what they want in the end.


38 posted on 05/20/2008 4:04:32 AM PDT by AdaGray
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Clintonfatigued
Pinged from Terri Dailies

8mm


39 posted on 05/20/2008 5:27:43 AM PDT by 8mmMauser (Jezu ufam tobie...Jesus I trust in Thee)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Sgt_Schultze
the dems held up the process, who cares?

In that scenario the media would be bashing a President McCain non-stop.  And remember, the media is his John McCain's primary constituency.

Thus, he would quickly cave an nominate someone from the 9th circuit.

 

40 posted on 05/20/2008 5:57:06 AM PDT by Incorrigible (If I lead, follow me; If I pause, push me; If I retreat, kill me.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-50 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson