Obama and the Supreme Court

[ericire12]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/06/politics/washingtonpost/main4504541.shtml

"A President Obama or a President McCain will likely be handed an opportunity to affect the makeup of the Supreme Court that is unprecedented in our history,"

Obama, supported by a strongly Democratic Senate, could be presented with three openings during his first term, said Walter Dellinger, a prolific Supreme Court practitioner who was acting solicitor general in the Clinton administration.

"President Obama is going to be able, I think, to name whoever he wishes to the court and have that person confirmed,"

Obama opposed Roberts and Alito and has mentioned Ginsburg, Souter and Breyer as models, although it was unclear whether he was looking only at the current court, rather than past justices, for examples.

Obama said in a speech this year that the court is in agreement much of the time. But on the important constitutional issues that divide the justices, "adherence to precedent and rules of construction will only get you through 25 miles of the marathon," Obama said.

"That last mile can only be determined on the basis of 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."

I have been a big proponent of Congressional term limits for a long time now, and I am almost to the point that I believe our Supreme Court Justices should also have term limits. Cases are no longer decided on the basis of constitutionality, but rather political ideology (on both sides). This is a very scary time, and if you sit this election out, then for this reason alone you will be turning your back on your country.

[tt11758]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/06/politics/washingtonpost/main4504541.shtml

I have been a big proponent of Congressional term limits for a long time now, and I am almost to the point that I believe our Supreme Court Justices should also have term limits. Cases are no longer decided on the basis of constitutionality, but rather political ideology (on both sides). This is a very scary time, and if you sit this election out, then for this reason alone you will be turning your back on your country.

How's this for scary?  Supreme Court Justice William Ayers.

[ericire12]

How's this for scary?  Supreme Court Justice William Ayers.

Justice Wright?

[tombogan03884]

Justice Clinton ?

[PegLeg45]

Justice Clinton ?

AAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHH....makes my brain hurt to imagine it.........

[Sponsor]

[wrhall]

It will  hurt  more  than  your  briain !! Biden  has  already  sounded off  during  the  VP debate &  if  the Dems  get  the   expected gains  in  the  Senate hard  times are a-coming. A  buddy  &  I  were  playing the  if-we-could-change game the  other  day  &  my #1 govt  change  was term  limits  on all 3  branches  of  the  govt. Great  minds  DO think  alike!

[tt11758]

It will  hurt  more  than  your  briain !! Biden  has  already  sounded off  during  the  VP debate &  if  the Dems  get  the   expected gains  in  the  Senate hard  times are a-coming. A  buddy  &  I  were  playing the  if-we-could-change game the  other  day  &  my #1 govt  change  was term  limits  on all 3  branches  of  the  govt. Great  minds  DO think  alike!

Can you say "Depression 2.0"?

[brosometal]

The SCOTUS Justices was touched on in another thread.  Seven of the present Nine have been appointed by Republicans.  Only Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer were appointed by Clinton. 

Everyone is pulling for McCain, but his willingness to embrace the dark side in the spirit of "bipartisanship" leads me to believe no matter who wins the election, SCOTUS Justices will list heavily to port just to get past confirmation. 

As for the term limits for SCOTUS justices, it was envisioned that way to give the Court a steady more consistent hand in interpretation of the Constitution and we see how that is working out.  Just to throw another grenade in the fire, there is no limit on the number of Justices either.  FDR was rebuffed, but there is no Constitutional construct for the number of justices.

[PegLeg45]

The SCOTUS Justices was touched on in another thread.  Seven of the present Nine have been appointed by Republicans.  Only Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer were appointed by Clinton. 

Everyone is pulling for McCain, but his willingness to embrace the dark side in the spirit of "bipartisanship" leads me to believe no matter who wins the election, SCOTUS Justices will list heavily to port just to get past confirmation. 

As for the term limits for SCOTUS justices, it was envisioned that way to give the Court a steady more consistent hand in interpretation of the Constitution and we see how that is working out.  Just to throw another grenade in the fire, there is no limit on the number of Justices either.  FDR was rebuffed, but there is no Constitutional construct for the number of justices.

Another classic example of how much of the general public is unaware of how our government really works and the original construct of said government.
I know over the past 150 years or so the lines have 'blurred' in some areas due to 'Congressional over-involvement'.
Makes me wonder if they even teach 'Government' or 'Civics' classes anymore. I know our state requirements for said classes have dwindled in those areas.

[tombogan03884]

Justice Clinton X2