Picking Judges

**Terri** · #1 05-30-2008, 09:40 AM

By Linda Chavez
May 30, 2008

If you ask Americans what issues matter most to them in choosing a president, the candidate's judicial philosophy is not likely to make it into the top 10. But a president's power to nominate judges is, in fact, one of his most powerful tools -- and often leaves a legacy that lasts far longer than any policy initiative.

President Dwight Eisenhower was no liberal activist, but his appointment of Earl Warren as chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court dramatically shifted the nation leftward for decades on everything from criminal justice to separation of church and state to legislative reapportionment. Similarly, President Ronald Reagan was far more successful in reshaping the courts than in reducing the size of government. So it's important to know how each of the current candidates will go about picking judges when one of them becomes president.

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ErnieLane · #2 05-30-2008, 10:09 AM

I'd like to hear McCain or one of his people explain how he will get conservative judges through what is likely to be a Senate with an even larger Democratic majority, possibly even veto- and filibuster-proof.

If an opening on the Supreme Court comes up and he names an "originalist" that can't get out of committee, I'd like to see a President McCain pull his name back and not name a replacement. He ought to say, "Look, if you'd rather have a Supreme Court of 8, 7, or less, fine, if you don't to vote on my appointments."

But I'm afraid he'll "work with" the Democrats and we won't get another Alito, but another Souter.

MISSL · #3 05-30-2008, 10:12 AM

The problem in this nation is that Civics is not taught in schools anymore....and people do NOT understand the function of the 3 branches of government. They will use the term "checks and balances" but do not fully understand what it means...they think it means to have a president in one party and congress of the opposing party. How foolish.
IMHO I feel that the appointment of judges to the federal benches and the US Supreme Court is the MOST important duty of the president.
And I am starting to wonder if there should be a civics test before someone can register to vote. Too many people are too d*** ignorant of how this country was founded and what we stand for.
Sweet Jesus have mercy on us.

jmedling · #4 05-30-2008, 11:01 AM

Love the way you think MSSL, but you have a better chance of making snoballs in you know where then getting "God forbid" a test for someone voting for the most powerful position on earth. Naw, that doesn't make any sense at all. LEt's instead get folks that can't push prepunched chads out of a hole with a pencil make those decisions. Half the politicians would be out of a job if we ever had that test. Mercy me, how would we ever get along without their valiant efforts to protect us from ourselves?
John Medling

MISSL · #5 05-30-2008, 11:33 AM

First of all, welcome to the forum John...
And regarding my previous post, it was just a thought, whimsical as it may be....the stink they threw up over ID in Indiana...oh, what would they do with a Civics test...Mercy, what was I thinking...

thomas · #6 05-30-2008, 11:56 AM

I don't like McCain. Although I will hang my hat on this issue, hold my nose and vote for him I am saddened that the Republican party chosen such an unattractive candidate. I hope his VP pick is "worth his salt"
The Old Chief

Siridh · #7 05-30-2008, 12:09 PM

It seems a real shame that this is about the only plus (and really its a gamble) we have in voting for McCain over the democratic presumptive Obama.

I'm still thinking its time to scrap the parties and pull in a third party. At least the Republicans will not be able to be "scapegoated" for what McCain does or does not do.

MISSL · #8 05-30-2008, 12:21 PM

As Terri pointed out in another thread, a third party is not the way to go. We need to correct this party. And though we cannot do it in this election, we do have 2012 to look forward to and hopefully someone like Bobby Jindal will run.

I am like Thomas, I will hold my nose....and vote for McCain because it is going to be either him or BO....

Not that I don't agree with you Siridh (and by the way, welcome to the forum)...if McCain does screw up (and hopefully he won't) it will definitely fall back on Reps. and make it much harder for us in the future.

Our only hope right now rests in God bailing us out of the mess we are in. Please Father in Heaven, help us in America retain our freedoms....in Jesus name

FlaJim · #9 05-30-2008, 12:42 PM

Regrettably, Ernie is right. First chance McCain has to compromise, he'll cheerfully embrace it. That's been the hallmark of his career for at least 8 years. Finding the lowest common denomitor has distinguished McCain for a long time (recall the disgraceful Gang of 14).

However, perhaps he'd find girly-men like Kennedy rather than committed reconstructionalists like Ginsberg and Souter.

#10 05-30-2008, 01:10 PM

McCan't has no track record of doing the right thing when it comes to Conservative issues. Time and time again, he "reaches" across the aisle which just means he gets up and sits on the wrong side of most issues. Look at all the bills that has his name paired with flaming socialists, er, I mean most esteemed Democrats. Nope. Not buying it. McCan't can't and won't.