Posted on 01/23/2010 5:45:11 PM PST by reaganaut1
President Obama took aim at the Supreme Court on Saturday, saying the justices had “handed a huge victory to the special interests and their lobbyists” with last week’s 5-to-4 decision to lift restrictions on campaign spending by corporations and unions.
The decision will have major political implications for this year’s midterm elections. After it was announced, Mr. Obama immediately instructed his advisers to work with Congress on legislation that would restore some of the limits the court lifted. But in his weekly address on Saturday, he sharply stepped up his criticism of the high court.
“This ruling strikes at our democracy itself,” Mr. Obama said, adding: “I can’t think of anything more devastating to the public interest. The last thing we need to do is hand more influence to the lobbyists in Washington, or more power to the special interests to tip the outcome of elections.”
How much the administration can do about the ruling remains unclear, although Mr. Obama said he had instructed his advisers to work with Congress on a “forceful, bipartisan response.”
That process got under way Friday, a White House official said, when Norm Eisen, Mr. Obama’s special counsel for ethics and government reform, met with two leading Democrats — Senator Charles E. Schumer of New York and Representative Chris Van Hollen of Maryland — to begin talks on how Congress might proceed.
The sharply divided decision overturned parts of a 2002 law — known as the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law, after the two senators who sponsored it — that severely restricted political advertising paid for by corporations and unions in the 30 days before a presidential primary and in the 60 days before general elections.
The five justices who sided with the majority characterized it as a victory for the First Amendment
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Since getting a black eye on Tuesday he's been bashing business and now the courts. This thug is getting more desperate and dangerous.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find only things evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelogus
Funny how to this day Barack Hussein Obama has never been required by the FEC to reveal his illegal foreign campaign donors.
What’s he going to do. Stack the court like FDR?
Hm. He should. He thinks the country is furious now over trying to meddle with their healthcare just watch if he tries that.
Memo to Obama..You are not Emperor and certainly are not the “One”.
It does seem clear the child is spooked. If they lose the HOuse, a possibility, there goes much of his power.
Stick it in your ear, Obama.
If Obama really wants to be a credible Populist, it would be smart for him to buy a pickup truck like Scott Brown and then start driving it around the D.C. suburbs.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Man, he really doesn’t like it when the playing field is level does he?
President living in a mental box comes to mind.
Good! I hope he throws the full power and influence of his Chicago style political machine at the Supreme Court. Maybe he will piss them off enough that they will actually take a look at his eligibility.
He should show his campaign donations to prove his cred. I doubt $or0$ would like that.
Pray for Freedom
How did the “wise latina” vote?
Now is a great time to fight this out, just when he and his comrades are so popular with the American people, who are paying very close attention.
I thought ZerO was Carter II but he is turning into Wilson II, with this later version being more dangerous. All hail the thugocracy.
Non-Constitutional, just as directed.
Changing the subject is not going to work.
Nor is bashing the banks. We see that he undid a year’s worth of 401K gains for those who are suffering in this dreadful economy.
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.