Posted on 11/16/2006 6:17:26 PM PST by freespirited
In his quest for the Republican presidential nomination, Arizona Sen. John McCain courted Thursday the group that vets conservative judicial nominees, the Federalist Society....
In his speech to a packed ballroom at a Washington hotel, McCain assured the group that despite last week’s sobering election returns for Republicans, “the election was not an affirmation of the other party’s program." ...
He spoke of the importance of judges who would strictly interpret the Constitution....
The reaction from the Federalists was polite, but not overwhelming. ...
Some social conservatives are wary of McCain because he has never shared their enthusiasm for such causes as banning same-sex marriage.
One Republican active in judicial confirmation politics, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said of McCain the day before the speech: “He’s regarded as a problem among conservatives on several levels.”
McCain was a leader of the bipartisan Gang of 14, a group of senators who averted a vote on changing Senate rules to abolish filibusters of judicial nominees. ...
McCain explicitly addressed his role as a leader of the Gang of 14, saying he was “proud of my role persuading my fellow Republican senators to respect the limits of our own power and not abolish the (judicial) filibuster rule.” ...
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
He won't have to run third party to get Hillary elected.
Just being the Republican nominee will accomplish that.
I agree with you .. I think this possibility is terribly frightening.
I was against then before I was for them.
Wonder how long before the Dems abolish this rule?
yes.
Dear John,
I no longer, nor did I ever "love" you. Apparently they brain washed you in 'Nam and you came back as the Saigon Candidate.
You never cared for me...you just wanted my vote. Please go away.
Maddie10
Like me, they know McCain is a liar!
that man makes me sick!
"On April 15, 2005 --less than three months after President Bush had begun a second term won in part because of his pledge to fight for sound judges-- Senator McCain appeared on Hardball and announced he would not support the "constitutional option" to end Democratic filibusters. Then, stunned by the furious reaction, the senator from Arizona cobbled together the Gang of 14 "compromise" that in fact destroyed the ability of the Republican Party to campaign on Democratic obstructionism while throwing many fine nominees under the bus. Now in the ruins of Tuesday there is an almost certain end to the slow but steady restoration of originalism to the bench. Had McCain not abandoned his party and then sabotaged its plans, there would have been an important debate and a crucial decision taken on how the Constitution operates. The result was the complete opposite. Yes, President Bush got his two nominees to SCOTUS through a 55-45 Senate, but the door is now closed, and the court still tilted left. A once-in-a-generation opportunity was lost."
Hugh Hewitt
Great. Make sure Senator "Kill Free Speech" knows we exist. How long until some Campaign Finance Reform II "this time we really mean it" is passed and makes forums like this illegal?
The country club elites that run the Republican Party have already settled on McCain. It's his turn, just like it was Bob Dole's turn in 96.
Don't expect a Republican President or return of control of Congress in 2008 as long as these guys pull the strings.
Maybe he's just thinking of the ones who stayed home on the seventh?
Gang of 14 or not, Alito is still on the Supreme Court.
If Bush's 3rd/4th nominees (if they come) and we get someone like Roberts or Alito through, I'll let the Gang of 14 slide.
If McCain is nominated, he will suffer the same fate as Bob Dole in 1996!
What we need to do now is stun him with a furious reaction to his candidacy!
--Which of Keating's 5 was McCain? (In importance.)--
1) Cranston (D)
2) DeConcini (D)
3) Riegle (D)
4) Glenn (D)
5) McCain (Rhinoceros)
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