John McCain and Barack Obama: Two visions of the Supreme Court

[babylonsister]

John McCain and Barack Obama: Two visions of the Supreme Court
McCain wants to end 'judicial activism.' Obama favors justices with 'empathy' for ordinary people.

By David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
May 19, 2008


WASHINGTON -- 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.

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http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-scotus19-2008may19,0,5298248.story?track=ntothtml

[NJmaverick]

1. This is why the Obama VS Hillary battle is so minor and insignificant

The real battle is to prevent McCain from destroying our nation and stealing our freedom and liberties using the Supreme Court. Never has an election been more critical.

[Vincardog]

2. And that is why we can not afford to have a DLC shill dedicated to resisting

and marginalizing liberal thought and action leading our ticket.

[NJmaverick]

4. Honestly it doesn't matter. Both Hillary and Obama are way way way

better than McCain. McCain who considers one of the worst justices in Supreme Court history (Alito), as the model judge.

[Vincardog]

5. A syphilitic dwarf with venereal warts is better than McSame. That does not buy my support for a DLC

shill. No more DINOs

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. This is why I'll vote Democratic in November

The SCOTUS.