Right wing Federalist Society worried that they may lose control over courts

[ck4829]

Today comes an op-ed by Federalist Society founder Steven Calabresi in the Wall Street Journal making the same point and issuing a dire warning that if Barack Obama is elected, we're going to see a complete take over of the federal judiciary by liberal activist judges:

"One of the great unappreciated stories of the past eight years is how thoroughly Senate Democrats thwarted efforts by President Bush to appoint judges to the lower federal courts.

...

The balance will shift as well on almost all of the 12 other federal appeals courts. Nine of the 13 will probably swing to the left if Mr. Obama is elected (not counting the Ninth Circuit, which the left solidly controls today). Circuit majorities are likely at stake in this presidential election for the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eleventh Circuit Courts of Appeal. That includes the federal appeals courts for New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia and virtually every other major center of finance in the country."

The interesting thing about Calabresi's handwringing that "majorities are ... at stake ... for the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eleventh Circuit Courts" is his willingness to overlook the basic fact that the Republican majorities on a lot of circuit courts are at stake mainly because Republicans have majorities on nearly every circuit court in the country.

Overall, Republican circuit court judges outnumber Democratic judges 103-66. And the reason for that is because for 20 of the last 28 years, Republicans have occupied the White House and have filled the federal bench with judges who share their ideology.

After two decades of Republican presidents stacking the federal bench with judges who share Calabresi's right-wing Federalist Society ideology, creating an situation in which that ideology dominates nearly every court in the land, Calabrasi is suddenly worried about balance and fairness and breathlessly warning that the "federal courts hang in the balance" because "nothing less than the very idea of liberty and the rule of law are at stake in this election?"

Give me a break.

http://rightwingwatch.org/content/federalist-society-founder-frets-theyll-lose-control-over-federal-courts

[babylonsister]

1. This would be the absolute BEST thing about Obama winning.

Suck on it, rethugs.

[HowHasItComeToThis]

2. GOOD RIDDANCE

[Sarah Ibarruri]

3. I don't care what anyone says, right wingers are nothing less than fascists. nt

[peace frog]

4. Cry me a frickin' river

They so richly deserve to lose control over not only the courts but every aspect of governance.

[ColbertWatcher]

5. I hope so. Those are the next sect of neo-conology that should fall. n/t

[ColbertWatcher]

8. And another thing: how did they get "control" of the fed courts anyway?

I bet he doesn't explain that, nor will he want to discuss it.

[Occulus]

13. How is it they are brazen enough to admit THEY "control" those courts?

Why aren't investigations being done, if they feel they "control" these courts?

Aren't these courts supposed to be INDEPENDENT of- well- everyone else?

[ColbertWatcher]

16. Good point, none of which will be discussed by the GOP. n/t

[Warpy]

6. They say that like it's a bad thing

I want those loons marginalized along with the John Birch Society and the KKK and the religious wack jobs.

[jimshoes]

7. I find great comfort in that

Oh, and it's Senator Obama to you Steveie. Soon to be President Elect Obama.

[KamaAina]

9. Quick! Somebody call the Waaaambulance!

Dial Whine-One-One!!

[Bake]

10. I can tell you that the Fifth Circuit (my circuit) could use some balance!

Hooooooooooeeeeeeeeeeeeee could it ever use some balance.

Bake

[Chulanowa]

11. "Liberal activist judges"

This coming from the side that gives us judges that claim our treaties don't count when it's inconveniant for the Republican party

[kestrel91316]

12. Hahahaha!!!!

Teeny weeny violins. Etc.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

14. What about the activist judges who gave Bush the Presidency?

The ones who suddenly didn't approve of states rights anymore and suddenly fell in love with the equal protection clause, as long as it could be interpreted in a way that crowned a chimpanzee.

[annabanana]

15. "liberal, activist judges"

as opposed to reactionary activist judges?. ..

How come they stick the word "activist" on it whenever they don't like the rulings?

[Efilroft Sul]

19. Answer: Because it threatens their privileged status quo. n/t

[ThoughtCriminal]

17. One of my top 3 reasons for voting Democratic

Judges that place the law above ideology.

[bridgit]

18. Oh blah dee oh blah da, live goes on la-la how that life goes on ~

Let'em step off! Obstructionist Society more to the point

[meow2u3]

20. Would you like some cheese to go with that whine?

:nopity:

[VoodooGuru]

21. These guys were insufferable in law school...

I had to deal with Federalists at the time when they were the fastest growing group in the law school, and worse, through the 1994 elections. :argh: At the time, I thought they were just pricks. Unfortunately, as a group they became powerful pricks.

Seeing the struts get knocked from beneath them, that's worth it all by itself.