527 ad: “America”
posted at 1:55 pm on October 23, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
Share on Facebook | regular view
We haven’t heard as much about judicial appointments in this election as we did in 2004. Perhaps the financial crisis has removed that from the front of most voters’ minds, but the Judicial Confirmation Network wants to remind people that the next President will choose more than just an approach to fixing the financial meltdown:
America: land of opportunity — and prosperity. But what made America great is what we stand for: liberty — equality — inalienable rights.
Fixing the economy is crucial. But America’s principles and Constitution are threatened by one more liberal activist vote on the Supreme Court.
Please join Judicial Confirmation Network. Help spread the word: “It takes just one vote.”
The question hasn’t arisen to a top-shelf issue for a couple of reasons. Most people believe the most likely retirements in the next four years will be from two or three of the Supreme Court’s liberal wing, with John Paul Stevens and Ruth Bader Ginsburg first and perhaps also Stephen Breyer or David Souter. That makes the issue of SCOTUS appointments a little less acute than in 2004, when we anticipated the departures of conservative William Rehnquist and swing vote Sandra Day O’Connor. If we miss this opportunity, some may figure, it won’t hurt us as it will just maintain the court balance as is.
However, that misses two important points. First, SCOTUS appointments affect court decisions for decades. Missing an opportunity now may mean losing ground to judicial activism for the next 30 years. The issue of judicial activism doesn’t just apply to SCOTUS, either, but also to the district and appellate judges that the next President will select. If Barack Obama stacks these levels with activist jurists, especially younger appointees, a friendly Supreme Court may never happen with or without a Republican in the White House.
JCN will run this ad in Ohio and western Pennylvania, as well as northern West Virginia. Hopefully, this will serve as a timely reminder.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages:
PLEASE do NOT let OBAMA be the one to pick our next supreme court justices
originalpechanga on October 23, 2008 at 2:00 PM
What happens if, God forbid, Scalia has a heart attack? Also, the rest of the Federal Courts will have about a third of their judges turn over. This matters A LOT. And if Obama wins it will hurt us. All of us.
D0WNT0WN on October 23, 2008 at 2:00 PM
Kelo – enough said
Vashta.Nerada on October 23, 2008 at 2:00 PM
A lot more judges in addition to SCOTUS…. a lot.
CC – BHO: “my Muslim faith”
CapedConservative on October 23, 2008 at 2:00 PM
With the Leftists having a majority in both houses of Congress, a majority of state legislatures, a majority of governorships, and of course the media and academia we NEED to have non-leftists on the court.
D0WNT0WN on October 23, 2008 at 2:03 PM
Scared the stuffing out of me, last night. There are still conservatives that are cutting off their nose to spite their face. They want to vote 3rd party to “punish” John McCain. Look, I can’t stand the sight of McCain, but Sarah is a good person and she will keep him straight. (Just keep Lindsay away from him).
We cannot afford to allow Obama to put leftest, activist judges to the Supreme Court.
HornetSting on October 23, 2008 at 2:04 PM
Another point that this ad missed is the fact that the current SCOTUS has four solid conservatives, four solid liberals, and Anthony Kennedy, who is essentially the king of the Supreme Court.
If one or two of the liberals retire and is/are replaced by a McCain-appointed conservative, the Kennedy vote won’t matter and SCOTUS will be conservative. If they are replaced by Obama-appointed super-liberals, the Kennedy vote becomes even more important.
Of course, conservatives might wonder what kind of SCOTUS justice McCain could get through a Democrat-controlled Senate. This is where his Gang-of-14 experience might come in handy.
Steve Z on October 23, 2008 at 2:06 PM
As long as we continue to believe that judges have the authority to issue ‘rulings’, we’ll continue to cut our own throats.
I recommend reading the Constitution, if you can find a copy.
LimeyGeek on October 23, 2008 at 2:08 PM
This ad reminds me of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs; survival needs always come first.
While the economy is important other issues that directly impact our survival are more important and the most important issue right now is dealing with our dangerous enemies hell bent on destroying our nation.
For those that espouse “it’s the economy stupid” should reconsider this thought process. The economy won’t mean squat if we lose the war against fascist Islam and other enemies of democracy, and if Obama is elected there is no doubt our enemies will be emboldened and begin attacking/testing us like never before, just ask Biden!
Liberty or Death on October 23, 2008 at 2:09 PM
I wouldn’t use the “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance as selling point to swing voters who probably don’t care about this phrase that wasn’t even in the original pledge.
Tzetzes on October 23, 2008 at 2:11 PM
Military tribunals are also affected by the civilian appellate judicial system no thanks to 9/11 complications.
The next POTUS will absolutely influence our entire judicial system for decades to come. Every president does. Every precedence does.
maverick muse on October 23, 2008 at 2:12 PM
Hmmm…
Dem pres, dem congress, dem supreme court…
Reparations, lifetime unemployment benefits, 55 MPH speed limits again, etc, etc, etc
pherrman on October 23, 2008 at 2:15 PM
Well done ad. One more reason to vote for
McCain/Palin.
Mulligan on October 23, 2008 at 2:19 PM
Prop 8 here in California is running in favor of gay marriage. If this thing passes, I’m headed for Alaska where even the animals know the difference.
Rovin on October 23, 2008 at 2:39 PM
Ed,
I’ll summarize for you:
Obama + Pelosi + Reid + SCOTUS =
non-stop Halloween of the Living De
admocratsLockstein13 on October 23, 2008 at 2:44 PM
The caperings of the Ninth Circuit should sober up anyone thinking that judicial appointments are for others to worry about.
Remembering that it was the supreme judicial courts in Massachusetts, California and Connecticut which forced homosexual marriage down the throats of their states electorates — against the stated and specific wishes of that electorate in the case of California — we can see the judiciary as the preferred tool of the Left in “redesigning” and “realigning” society….
…so the judiciary, one third of the government in power on paper, well over one third depending on the justices themselves, is vitally important….
…then again, if you take as proof of the awareness of the electorate the fact that both John Kerry and now Barak Obama have come close to the top job in the Executive Branch, maybe the electorate needs stiffer medicine, a louder wake-up call….
…is there such a thing as a national-sized can of “Jolt” cola?
Puritan1648 on October 23, 2008 at 2:44 PM
Don’t forget the Clintons are in the wings waiting for a nomination… especially in light of the Congress being fully in control of Democrats, thus making a confirmation more likely!!!
Texas Rainmaker on October 23, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Texas Rainmaker on October 23, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Was what I was going to say. That is more scary.
Off to work I go. Because I owe I owe so I must go………..
sheebe on October 23, 2008 at 3:05 PM
My imagination thankfully can’t even comprehend what Obama would put on the Supreme Court.
Hening on October 23, 2008 at 3:07 PM
Texas Rainmaker on October 23, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Was what I was going to say. That is more scary.
Off to work I go. Because I owe I owe so I must go………..
Another try for this to load on here…….
sheebe on October 23, 2008 at 3:17 PM
I can’t stand McCain, but the alternative will ruin the country for years to come. The Messiah will be picking at least 1 maybe 2 justices. Can we afford to let him change the course of this nation just to show McCain that we don’t like him. There’s plenty of time to work that out after the election. After McCain is elected, then we can throw the morons that are running the RNC and actually get some Republicans and conservatives in there. A vote for Bob Barr is a vote for Obama!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
flytier on October 23, 2008 at 7:03 PM
There’s no difference between Obama and McCain, I’m staying Home!!!!!! Or voting for Bob Barr!!!!! etc etc.
- The Cat
P.S. At least one and as many as three are up for retirement. This is a big deal.
MirCat on October 23, 2008 at 8:06 PM
I just don’t understand why anyone would pick someone so wet behind the ears in this troubling times for our nation !! Older is wiser For Pete sake!!
beachkatie on October 23, 2008 at 10:17 PM
There are so many ways for Obama to ruin this country that I love.
This is just one more and the most important of all that will be an everlasting result to all of us.
Gulf Coast on October 24, 2008 at 9:26 AM
Comment pages: