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 ...
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).
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!
If only McLame was a conservative...
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.
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.
Only if Republicans stay home in a huff, and don't get out and support Republican Senate candidates.
That's scary.
That's scary.
So there are still Republicans who will vote for Obama?
And Obama will do what compared to McCain?
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.
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.
Can Operation Chaos be extended to the Senate — vote for enough Democrats so that they self-destruct in 2 years?
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.
If ‘Bama wants to ban home heating and ration food that might be a big issue too.
An obstetrician for Supreme Court Justice?
Oklahoma has rat governor.
Let’s not kid ourselves. McFudd will give the liberals what they want in the end.
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.
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