Someone sometime has to rein in the Black-Robed Priests.
And it looks like Newt is the only one with the guts to do it.
Looks like a shot across the bow.
All this is true. Unfortunately, the masses that go to the polls are influenced by headlines and propaganda hit pieces. Despite misgivings on a liberal judiciary, the masses still look to an independent judiciary and explains why it has a higher popularity than the other two branches of government. If and when the tables are reversed and there is a Democratic president and Democratic Congress who then try to get rid of conservative strict constructionist judges the outcome would be scary.
Gingrich would have gotten just as much mileage if in his usual professorial manner he had picked out a couple of outrageous decisions and made the case why a second term Obama would be disastrous for the nation.
He could also have insisted that he would insist on Congress carving out exceptions to what cases may be taken on appeal to the federal courts. Art II of the Constitution allows for this.
The vast swath of independent voters in certain battleground states like Ohio, VA, and New Hampshire (all winnable against Obama) will not take lightly to the notion of hauling judges replete with subpoenas and warrants to testify before Congress. Now, that may not be what Newt said or meant but you can bet that’s what the barrage of attack ads will portray.
Indeed, I expect Newt to issue some clarification statement in the next couple of days when his internal polling will show that these statements are beginning to drag him down. People respond to specifics not the abstract institution. Newt is smart. he needs to highlight some truly atrocious decisions like civilian trials for non-citizen GITMO detainees according to the UCMJ, pledge of allegiance; removal of Christmas creches and 10 commandments, moment of silent prayer in public schools, forcing religious charities to accept gay adoptions, etc. This is what voters relate to, not a broad brush attack
Uh huh. And if Gingrich can take over the Judiciary as President, how do you feel
about the next Democratic President doing the same thing after Gingrich’s term is over?
Nobody on this thread will miss the 9th Circuit if its shut down.