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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



Obama camp responds to McCain speech

Posted: Tuesday, May 06, 2008 2:11 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Mark Murray
“The Straight Talk Express took another sharp right turn today as John McCain promised his conservative base four more years of out-of-touch judges that would threaten a woman’s right to choose, gut the campaign finance reform that bears his own name, and trample the rights and interests of the American people," Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor said in a statement. "Barack Obama has always believed that our courts should stand up for social and economic justice, and what’s truly elitist is to appoint judges who will protect the powerful and leave ordinary Americans to fend for themselves."

*** UPDATE *** Here's the Clinton camp's response: “We won't take lectures on the right way to approach the Constitution from Sen. McCain, who voted for extreme conservative judges like Justice Thomas. In an effort to pander to conservative voters, Sen. McCain has signaled his intention to appoint right-wing judges who are committed to rolling back women’s rights and civil rights, elevating the interests of big business over the rights of workers and consumers, affirming executive branch power grabs, and undermining our common core freedoms. Sen. Clinton has a different vision. She will appoint judges who respect the separation of powers, are steadfast in protecting civil rights and liberties, including the right of privacy, and who cherish equal justice under law.”

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Abortions for all.
           [crowd boos]
          Very well, no abortions for anyone.
           [crowd boos]
          Hmm... Abortions for some, miniature American flags for
          others.
           [crowd cheers and waves miniature flags]
-- American politics in its simplicity, "Treehouse of Horror VII"
Although I am not a lawyer, I can read and understand the complex decisions of any Supreme Court Justice as well as anyone.  I really do not mind if a justice or federal judge is conservative or liberal.  I expect any jurist to be abundantly wise and make rulings that are strategic and without discourse for generations.

You cannot simply rely on a belief in 'originalisim', nor activism, or what the Constituion says.  Afterall, we had to quickly add the first 10 amendments to the Constitution for our Bill of Rights to take effect.  Strict contructionism is shortsighted.  Activism (conservative or liberal) is also shortsighted.

So when a candidate for the Presidency fist pounds and states they support no nominee who will legislate from the bench, that is fine.  But read and hear further.  What they really mean when they say this is they want to make sure they get 'their' people- wink, wink- to legislate from the bench, and scare you into their way of thinking.  Any federal justice or judge by defintion in rendering a decision is in fact legislating from the bench.
We do not like Mr. Obama.
Liberal=Liberty

Conservative=Cronyism
Carol, Long Valley, NJ - That was very well said!!!  I wish the Republicans would stop being so afraid of liberals!
Kathy Brocket, Elwood Il,

Obama's campagin has proven that they know what they are doing. Are they perfect? No. But they plenty good enough. Have faith.
Mccain = bush, plain and simple. The old gasbag B.S. express is at it again. At least 70% of the country knows we are going in the wrong direction, and old fool mccain will insure we "stay the course". Wake up America - don't vote for this clown!
McCain in some ways reminds me of Uncle  Junior Soprano.
Any democrat that supports either canidate Clinton or Obama that is stupid enough to say that they will not vote for whomever ends up being the nominee, should be ashamed of themselves....I'm looking at you Lisa in New Britain, CT....if Lisa is your real name...Those dems that do not suck it up and vote for the democratic nominee and allow that decrepit old boob to take over are NOT going to be looked on as heros for there cause. You will be a pariah. The ultimate goal is to have the Presidency in the control of a dem, not hero worship.
You people can make this about any issue you want...the Supreme Court is not set up to make law...they are only to interpret existing law.  By the way, not all "feminist" supporters are supportive of Roe v. Wade.  If you want to get into the abortion issue, I would like to know how a "Christian" man can vote in favor of partial birth abortion?  How, also can the "reverend" Wright stand in his pulpit in a "Christian" church and promote hatred and bigotry?  Even Oprah, who's pretty far to the left, couldn't tolerate the bigot...this issue will not go away for Obama, no matter how hard he tries to ignore it.
Wait, there are those among us who actually think the Supreme Court is an apolitical body? You've got to be kidding me. "The courts stand for the law and only the law" my foot. In theory, sure, but in actuality? Get a clue.
Has The Gimmick candidate announced she will challenge Obama's two young daughters to list all of the bathrooms in the White House, and if they can't then she deserves the nomination yet?

Hillary Clinton, The Gimmick candidate
Bill and Hillary, The Gimmick Family
Do and Say Anything ‘08
Barack, Barack, Barack. Again, you are so wrong. The courts stand for the law, and only the law. Not whatever little politically correct cause you've got going at anyone time.

Anne Sullivan, Ryan, NY (Sent Tuesday, May 06, 2008 2:19 PM)

Clearly, you know little of the recent history of judicial appointments.


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