Can't our nominee easily win if we talk about the SUPREME COURT?

[Syrinx]

I think the Supreme Court is 7 to 2, Republican-appointed to Democratic-appointed.

It's basically four to four, with Kennedy being the tiebreaker. And he seems to be heading, more and more, to the conservative side.

We need to make it the main issue -- how much the supreme law of the land will fundamentally change once McCain gets to put up to four justices on the court!

If the Republicans get even one more appointment, we are screwed.

Torture will be upheld.

The repeal of Habeas Corpus will be upheld.

Likewise, the repeal of Posse Comitatus.

The court will determine that the legislative branch has NO oversight authority over the executive branch, AT ALL.

ROE v. WADE will be reversed!

McCain says he will appoint people like Alito and Roberts, and Scalia. If he does, that will really, finally, be the "End Of America."

Shouldn't our nominee vigorously campaign on this issue?

And can't we easily win, if our nominee does vigorously campaign on this issue?

[Skidmore]

1. There are deep divisions in this nation re: Roe v. Wade, which is why

the Rs have been so successful. I think the restoration of habeus corpus is something that would be more productive as a campaign issue regarding the court. Right now we need to focus issues where there is common ground.

[Syrinx]

2. you're right

I think Roe has about 70% support nationwide, though.

But, Habeas Corpus, if people understood what it means, would be a near-universal area of agreement.

:thumbsup:

[Meiko]

9. How would you know?

It has never been put to a vote as a national issue.

[Skidmore]

3. It would also remove any incentive for the Rs to gin up

the religious right and turn the whole GE in to a "my god is bigger than you godless atheists" circus. We need to drum religion out of politics and reinstitute separation of church and state, and this GE presents an opportunity to do just that.

[billybob537]

4. Yes You are correct

And when Hillary stops distracting from this, most of her supporters will clearly see how terrible a McCain presidency would be.

[Smarmie Doofus]

5. Not necessarily.

>>>Torture will be upheld.

The repeal of Habeas Corpus will be upheld.

Likewise, the repeal of Posse Comitatus.

The court will determine that the legislative branch has NO oversight authority over the executive branch, AT ALL.

ROE v. WADE will be reversed!
>>>>


There is a psychololgical undertow attached to each of these issues. While most people... issue by issue ... will probably share the DEM POV on the above, many voters base their decision on *feelings*. They prefer not to analyze too rigorously.

Torture and habeus corpus repeal appeal to the desire for order and safety. People don't consciously think: "I like torture"; they subconsciously think: "I'm really worried about terrorism and bad guys in general and want the gov't to be 'tough' on these threats." Legal specifics re. torture ( what it is and what it isn't) are boring and complicated and most will defer to the lawyers to hash those out.

Similarly, Roe v. Wade emotionally translates for many people not into a debate over abortion rights so much as the desireability of *abortion* as such. I.E. an unpleasant phenomenom. The prospect that they might themselves have to face an abortion-related dilemma at some point seems remote; so they'd prefer not to think about it beyond: abortion is a bad thing.

I'm not saying you're wrong, necessarily; I'm saying that SCOTUS has to be handled delicately by the nominee.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

6. People were campaigning on the basis of the Supreme Court in 2000

I recall buttons that said, "It's the Supreme Court, Stupid."

That was thought-provoking for people who actually know what the Supreme Court does and something of its history, but for the great masses of Americans who care more about the judging on American Idol than the judging of landmark court cases, it pretty much goes over their heads.

[blondeatlast]

7. Keep in mind that the general public are not the political wonks we are.

Most people have no idea of the SCOTUS role in our government.

The only people it will galvanize are those that are force-fed their opinions on abortion, civil rights (against them, that is) and as we are discovering, that's a smaller amount of people than we thought.

[Syrinx]

10. our nominee should educate

S/he should educate while campaigning.

[slackmaster]

8. Most people lack the capacity for long-term strategic thinking

It's important for sure, but not a big selling point.

[Thothmes]

11. Even if McCain is elected

The Democratic Party will retain control of the U.S. Senate. If McCain gets nominees like Alito or Scalia confirmed to the Supreme Court, it will be the responsibility of the Democratic members the Congress. I believe that it is reasonable McCain would nominate conservative judges to the Court, but I also believe if they get confirmed, it is the fault of the Democrats.