I already knew that he and I agree on most of the issues. (Hear that, Senator? If you do an interview with us, you'll get treated right!) I'm also charmed that he took some time to talk with feminist bloggers. When my mom watches, though, she'll want to tell him not to slouch.
Also, as the returns from today's primaries roll in, and both Democratic candidates find separate groups of liberal supporters, David Cohen of Feminist Law Professors points out what is most important - Justice Stevens:
At 88, Justice Stevens is the oldest member of the Supreme Court. I wouldn’t put much money on the chances of him making it as a member of the Court to 2012, the next presidential election. So, in all likelihood, he will need to be replaced during the next President’s term. If McCain is the President, he has given every indication, through his votes and his speeches, that he would appoint another Justice in the Alito/Roberts conservative mold. With that Justice replacing Stevens, the McCain-appointed conservative would be the fifth vote for a young, solid conservative majority on the Court. Roe, Lawrence, Romer, Gratz, VMI, and many other progressive decisions would be at serious risk.
But, if Clinton or Obama is President, whatever you think of their general merit compared to one another, Justice Stevens’ replacement would undoubtedly not be a young conservative. With a likely more solidified Democratic majority in the Senate, President Clinton or President Obama would protect the progressive Supreme Court that has become central to our modern constitutional order.
Justice Stevens is doing so much good for our country - let's not let him be replaced by someone who will work to undo that good.
How are other people feeling about politics and the elections?
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11 comments:
Obama realizes that bloggers are an important part of the mix here, he's got that advantage over McCain among many other advantages.
Fingers crossed for SOMETHING in a better direction!
I have to say that originally I was slightly in favor of Clinton because of the experience factor. I was even one of those who wished for the "dream team." However, I voted for Obama in the Virginia primary because at that time I was voting for the person I most felt could defeat the Republicans who have stripped America of its middle class over the last few years and changed so many regulations that pollution is rampant again in our water, our air, and on our highways (run over any re-treads lately?) Now that the candidates are showing some differentiation in their campaigns, I am very happy to say that I am firmly on the Obama team. I truly think this is a man who is moral, who supports the constitution - not a personal agenda, who believes in the separation of church and state, who will work to restore the middle class and a working wage to all - not just quick political fixes to make himself look good. Senator Clinton has really disappointed me with her appearance on FOX news and some of the comments she has made that are of the "I'm trying to be nice, but just let me pass on this little bit of gossip and then deny that I believe it" nature. That behavior which has become standard for politicians reminds me of behavior usually seen in middle school children. From Senator Obama, I have seen nothing but mature handling of all issues - showing respect for his fellow candidates, the process of trying to work with his former pastor and treat him with dignity throughout that process, his standing on issues and defending his position without resorting to middle school behaviors. This is my candidate. I hope I get a chance to continue to support him.
At the beginning of the primary, Obama didn't seem to be doing anything radical in terms of using bloggers. I heard a lot of frustration from other bloggers too. Interesting that he's now all over the blogosphere. Maybe it is true that he is learning.
And as a Clinton supporter, I agree that if she can't name a new Justice to the USSC, Obama must be the one.
Wow, pc, that was such an eloquent sum-up of why I like Obama - I wish I'd written it. Sen. Obama, you do an interview with us and we'll have pc conduct it!
Clinton is pretty great too, though - and my quibbles with how she's occasionally run her campaign are nothing compared to my serious problems with some of the policies that McCain supports (or fails to... like the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act). Certainly, we don't need another Alito or Scalia in the Supreme Court. I really like Justice Stevens, and it made me sad to write that he'll step down someday...
I've been an Obama fan because he has been vocal about the war. Senator Clinton's support of the war and the war effort, has been a real disappointment.
I perhaps do not have a handle on the issues as some of your readers as J'can politics is pretty hot so yours tends to be on the periphery here but the Obama/Hillary march has been amazing to most Jamaicans to watch.
I think most people I know including me were rooting for Hillary in the beginning based on the posture that she was the likely Democratic candidate to be nominated and she was a woman to boot the Obama seemed to come out of nowhere AND weirdly there was the fear that USA is mired in racism not ready for a black man and dare I say it...he would not live out the nomination. Seriously lots of people have uttered that and others have lambasted them for even thinking about that much less saying it. Now he has taken the place by storm and we are loving it.
Lastly I hope a Democrat does win the Presidency in the US if only so that the judgements coming out Supreme Court will reflect the progress of the last 40 years.
dee,
glad to see you're a Hillary supporter that hasn't been turned off by the primary process.
It actually always strikes me as funny how much the international crowd knows about U.S. politics. I read El Pais most days, and there is usually a front-page story about the U.S. primaries. Yet, political news about other countries rarely makes the front page here unless there is a major problem.
As for the 'racists won't vote for Obama' worry, I'm sad to say it isn't unfounded, as (in national interviews) West Virginia recently proved.
Sometimes it seems like people in other countries are paying more attention than we are!
So often we seem asleep at the switch.
By the way, nice to meet you all.
P.S. I wish you would talk more about it, it might help some of us (me!) clarify on strategy. I think we also need some action from prominent voices to really touch on the issues of perception. I guess I am saying that we need some leadership, maybe? On many things, but inclusive feminism and perception are big concerns.
Hey, Lynn - we've enjoyed meeting you too! There's a great conversation on your site right now that I've really enjoyed being able to take part in.
You wish we'd talk more here about U.S. politics? No problem - it's one of our favorite topics!
As for misconceptions about feminism... that's an issue I'm really grappling with right now. I honestly don't know if it is that Clinton's campaign has prodded misogynistic fears of powerful women out of people's heads and onto the airwaves, or if it is my recent move to the 'Deep South,' but I've never before heard so many sexist things said by people my own age as I have this year. By octogenarians, sure - sexism was the norm for generations. But I'm continually surprised to hear young professional women demean themselves, or allow women to be demeaned by others... all with a smile.
I just don't get it. And half of the time, I don't know how to best handle it either.
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