Tuesday, February 06, 2007

President Giuliani

"On the Federal judiciary I would want judges who are strict constructionists because I am. I’m a lawyer. I’ve argued cases in the Supreme Court. I’ve argued cases in the Court of Appeals in different parts of the country. I have a very, very strong view that for this country to work, for our freedoms to be protected, judges have to interpret not invent the Constitution. Otherwise you end up, when judges invent the constitution, with your liberties being hurt. Because legislatures get to make those decisions and the legislature in South Carolina might make that decision one way and the legislature in California a different one. And that’s part of our freedom and when that’s taken away from you that’s terrible. President Bush has the great model because I think as the President he did appointed (sic) some really good ones and both of them are former colleagues of mine - Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito. Justice Scalia is a former colleague of mine. Somebody that … I think Chief Justice Roberts is a great chief justice and he’s young and he can have a long career and that’s probably the reason the President and Vice President chose him. I think those are the kinds of justices I would appoint – Scalia, Alito and Roberts. If you can find anybody as good as that, you are very, very fortunate."
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1778820/posts

I really don't care how Rudy feels about abortion or gay marriage. I do, however, care about what kind of justices he would appoint to the Supreme Court - and the federal courts. I would want to see a list of names. I would need certain promises from the former mayor before I could vote for him.

I think we know he would be strong on defense.

You don't have to be a social conservative to appreciate the value of Judges who interpret law rather than invent laws. But to win the 2008 election he will need the support of the Republican base... And there will need to be assurances beyond a few carefully chosen words.

I believe Rudy can beat any Democrat challenger. But can he reassure the base support he needs for victory?

3 comments:

Josh said...

I agree that RG has great potential to defeat most Dem canidates, but I doubt he can make it out of the pirmary season.

Malott said...

I don't know, Josh.

He would have to really work at reassuring social and cultural conservatives... But it could be done.

And how would he govern - would he keep his promises? That would depend on whether or not he wanted a second term.

Josh said...

Good points Malott. I think in a state like CA or NY, where he's well repsected, he'll have no problem. But there's no way he gets out of the South. Can you see TX or GA choosing RG. TX's growing population in making it a powerhouse in nat'l politics.