McCain (Finally) Joins The Battle
- 05.06.2008 - 10:47 AMTo the consternation of many conservatives, John McCain has seemed reluctant to go after his potential Democratic adversaries with great force. That will change a bit today in a speech on judges at Wake Forrest University. Yes, his remarks contain the expected, impassioned plea for judicial restraint and words of praise for Justices Alito, Roberts, and Rehnquist. And he also puts in a brief defense of his role in the Gang of 14, which, he contends, helped get through two Supreme Court and several appeal court judges but has nonetheless been a sore spot with some conservatives.
But it is his sharp words about his Democratic opponents (on a day when they wait for election returns without making much news until tonight) that may catch the most attention. McCain explains:
Obama in particular likes to talk up his background as a lecturer on law, and also as someone who can work across the aisle to get things done. But when Judge Roberts was nominated, it seemed to bring out more the lecturer in Senator Obama than it did the guy who can get things done. He went right along with the partisan crowd, and was among the 22 senators to vote against this highly qualified nominee. And just where did John Roberts fall short, by the Senator’s measure? Well, a justice of the court, as Senator Obama explained it – and I quote – should share “one’s deepest values, one’s core concerns, one’s broader perspectives on how the world works, and the depth and breadth of one’s empathy.
These vague words attempt to justify judicial activism – come to think of it, they sound like an activist judge wrote them. And whatever they mean exactly, somehow Senator Obama’s standards proved too lofty a standard for a nominee who was brilliant, fair-minded, and learned in the law, a nominee of clear rectitude who had proved more than the equal of any lawyer on the Judiciary Committee, and who today is respected by all as the Chief Justice of the United States. Somehow, by Senator Obama’s standard, even Judge Roberts didn’t measure up. And neither did Justice Samuel Alito. Apparently, nobody quite fits the bill except for an elite group of activist judges, lawyers, and law professors who think they know wisdom when they see it – and they see it only in each other.
It is a measure of how tame the debate has been that these are some of the most ideologically pointed lines to be spoken by McCain so far. Clearly, he and his campaign must believe this issue is a winner against both Democratic opponents, a chance to paint them as outside the mainstream. McCain–who is understandably hesitant to take any step that might turn off independents–may have found one of the rare issues he thinks can both please conservatives and keep independents on his side. Unfortunately for him, it’s a rare voter who casts his or her ballot for President solely on the basis of judicial philosophy and potential Supreme Court picks.
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May 6th, 2008 at 11:39 AM
O happy day!!! Finally something specific and compelling for constitutionalists from out future (????) Nominator-in-Chief. For EXACTLY the reasons McCain gave the notion that someone who voted against Roberts could possibly be characterized as anthing other than extreme partisan or hard left activist idealogue is irredeamably absurd.
As such I really think this is a winning issue and one that Republicans have not pursued with sufficient vigor and consistency in the face unprecedent obstructions by the Dems.
Unfortunately, Jen, I think you are right that this issue will be dispositive for all too few voters in November. Still its worth noting that it has generally been used with at lest some successs in winning Senate races by Republicans and rarely (not at all to my recollection by I certainly am not familiar with all races) in the inverse by Democrats.
For those of us looking to generate enthusiasm for the McCain campaign, however (well…other than the oodles of such generated by the prospect of a Barry or even Hillary preseidency) these words are most welcome.
May 6th, 2008 at 12:20 PM
The main reason why McCain will lose is because he cannot bear to associate himself with any idea that appeals to Republicans and simultaneously offends Democrats, moderates, independents, etc (not counting the perpetual wars in Iraq and Afghanistan). If he did so and won, his friends in the media will deem his victory as a replay of Nixon’s “Southern strategy.” His presidency will have been conceived in sin - he will have defeated either America’s first black president or America’s first woman president. And if he did so and lost it would be seen as the last desperate attempt to arouse angry, bitter, white men in a multicultural America. “Hell no!, I won’t go!” McCain will say to himself, “and I would rather lose with dignity, honor, good sportsmanship, grace, and above all, the admiration of the media for separating myself from the putrid sewers of the rabid, racist, sexist right-wing and allowing my opponents to win,” as he contemplates his own wing at the Newseum.
May 6th, 2008 at 12:39 PM
The DNC already started airing ads misquoting the “100 years in Iraq” speech. This is just a glimpse of what McCain will face in a general election after 8 years of an unpopular Republican administration and with two very strong democratic candidates and a democratic crowd that seems much more excited about the elections than the republicans.
Meanwhile McCain, instead on focusing on his opponents, spent a lot of energy condemning the North Carolina Republican party for the ad criticizing Obama for his tight links with Wright.
What’s funny is that Obama had to condemn Wright to survive….
Who’s “out of touch with reality” here Mr. McCain?
May 6th, 2008 at 2:31 PM
This is a very important speech for McCain. Why? Social issues are largely the provence of localities and the judiciary. By stating that McCain wants a strict constructionist judiciary, McCain is affirming self government, the democratic process, civil society, duel sovereignty federalism, and the Christian Right’s social agenda, all in one fell swoop.
May 6th, 2008 at 3:37 PM
good luck finding a constitutionalist judge who will support mcain feingold lol