A Win by McCain Could Push a Split Court to Right

[Lone_Star_Dem]

Source: Wahington Post

For much of its term, the Supreme Court muted last year's noisy dissents, warmed to Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.'s vision of narrow, incremental decisions and continued a slow but hardly steady move to the right.

But as justices finished their work last week, two overarching truths about the court remained unchanged: It is sharply divided ideologically on some of the most fundamental constitutional questions, and the coming presidential election will determine its future path.

A victory by the presumptive Democratic nominee, Barack Obama, would probably mean preserving the uneasy but roughly balanced status quo, since the justices who are considered most likely to retire are liberal. A win for his Republican counterpart, John McCain, could mean a fundamental shift to a consistently conservative majority ready to take on past court rulings on abortion rights, affirmative action and other issues important to the right.
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"If there's one thing you can see about this court, it is that it still sits on a knife's edge," said Jeffrey L. Fisher, a Stanford University law professor who argued three cases before the justices this year.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/28/AR2008062802078.html?nav=rss_nation

[FrenchieCat]

1. Some folks forget this....

or think that Obama's got it in the bag to the point of where they are dogging out Obama and leaving McCain alone. Folks here, I mean.

So yes, let us not forget.

These elections are not a game.

[OwnedByFerrets]

2. This comes under the catagory of

No SHIT Sherlock!!

[Clovis Sangrail]

3. not 'could' but 'would'

Stevens is 88
Ginsburg is 76
Kennedy is 71

The next president will very likely be filling Stevens' slot and he is one of the liberal justices.
This alone would tilt the court.
It's possible 1 or 2 other appointments will be made as well.

[AndyTiedye]

4. The Court is WAY Too Far to the Right Already

[still_one]

5. You can kiss the Supreme Court and and any viable healthcare plan goodbye if mccain wins

The stakes have never been higher or the choies never clearer

[Doug.Goodall]

6. The Supreme Court is the single most important issue for the next election

I hope all of the individuals who want to show their anger over the way we selected our Democratic Nominee by voting for McCain (and you know who you are) will keep the Supreme Court in mind when they step into the voting booth.

This is just too important to let the Republicans win.

[cstanleytech]

7. Yeah this is my main worry with McCain, if another is replaced with a conservative on the court

we are screwed.

[MrBlueSky]

8. Cannot possibly happen, people...

After this fall's elections, the Democratic controlled Senate will be within spitting distance of a filibuster proof majority (first time in over 25 years!)

If a President McSame refuses to nominate centrists to the Supreme Court, a strongly Democratic Senate will TKO any consideration of confirmation hearings...

Life will not be bad if McWar becomes President... because the Democrats will be extra strong in both Chambers of Congress.

Now, as to whether they will fold like laundry to McLame in the same way they are doing to Bu$h... well... that's another story...

:grr:

[iamjoy]

11. Don't Count On It

How many Democrats voted for IWR? How many Democrats voted for Roberts and Alito? How many Democrats caved on war funding and FISA?

Filibuster proof does little good if enough Democrats are willing to give in to get along rather than fight for our principles.

[mwb970]

9. Aren't SCOTUS appointees confirmed by the Senate?

How would a hypothetical President McSame (yuck) get a far-right Justice past a 60+ Democratic majority in the Senate?

[pf99]

10. Very Important

If you are a progressive and thinking about voting for Nader, please think about the Supreme Court. (Remember 2000)

If you are a Hillary supporter and are thinking about not voting or worse voting for McCain, think about the Supreme Court.

[captainmorgan]

12. Stevens is 88

Therein lies the risk of electing McCain.