May 7, 2008

This week, John McCain outlined his judicial philosophy and vision. Here are key points of the Senator’s speech.

John McCain’s Judicial Philosophy:

• John McCain will look for accomplished men and women with a proven record of excellence in the law and a proven commitment to judicial restraint. They will be men and women of experience, wisdom and humility who do their work with impartiality and honor. They will be faithful in all things to the Constitution and understand that there are clear limits to judicial and federal power. 

• Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito will serve as the model for John McCain’s judicial nominees.

• In the confirmation process, the Senate must do its part, and confine itself to the duty of confirming men and women for the courts. In the Senate, John McCain took seriously his responsibilities in the judicial confirmation process.

• John McCain believes the federal courts are charged with applying the Constitution and the laws of our country to each case at hand.

Contrast With The Democrats:

• Senators Clinton and Obama believe judges should be able to legislate from the bench.

• Senators Clinton and Obama do not mind that fundamental questions of social policy are preemptively decided by judges instead of by people and elected representatives. 

• Senator Obama has consistently voted against qualified judicial nominees. He voted against Chief Justice Roberts after praising Roberts’ qualifications. He even voted to filibuster Justice Samuel Alito.  He even said a Supreme Court Justice 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.” 

The McCain Record On Judges:

• John McCain has a record of supporting judges who interpret the Constitution and do not legislative from the bench.

• John McCain strongly supported the nominations of Justices Roberts, Alito, Rehnquist, Thomas, and Scalia.

• John McCain’s efforts with the bipartisan group of Senators were credited with facilitating the confirmation of conservative nominees for both the Supreme Court and federal circuit court. This effort showed that serious differences can be handled in a serious way on a bipartisan basis.

 

This Week’s Note From Jo Ann:

Presidents make many decisions which have lasting effect on the future of our country.  One of the most important decisions made are who to nominate for federal judgeships.  Yesterday John McCain spelled out his philosophy and record on the men and women who should be appointed.  Please share this information with your personal e-mail list and use it in conversations and speeches. 

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