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Afternoon Open Thread: McCain Criticizes Obama for…Doing His Job |
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This appeared this morning in the news:
Republican John McCain castigated Democrat Barack Obama for voting against John Roberts as Supreme Court chief justice in a speech about the kind of judges McCain would nominate.
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Obama likes to talk up his image as someone who works with Republicans to get things done, McCain said. Yet Obama “went right along with the partisan crowd, and was among the 22 senators to vote against this highly qualified nominee,” McCain said.
Yes, while McCain refers to it as going “right along with the partisan crowd,” I refer to it as going “right along with your conscience.” In fact, Obama voted against the Roberts nomination not because he wanted to divide Washington, but because he believed Roberts would disserve Americans from the Supreme Court.
In a statement regarding the nomination, in which he was profoundly complimentary of Roberts professionally and personally, and criticized partisan behavior of his own party, Obama respectfully spelled out his differences with the future Justice:
The problem I had is that when I examined Judge Roberts’ record and history of public service, it is my personal estimation that he has far more often used his formidable skills on behalf of the strong in opposition to the weak. In his work in the White House and the Solicitor General’s Office, he seemed to have consistently sided with those who were dismissive of efforts to eradicate the remnants of racial discrimination in our political process. In these same positions, he seemed dismissive of the concerns that it is harder to make it in this world and in this economy when you are a woman rather than a man.
Actually, Obama didn’t just vote his conscience — he voted in line with his constituents’ conscience, which is precisely what he was elected to do. As a Democratic Senator elected by over 70% of voters in a primarily working-class state full of minorities and women, he would have been violating his ethical obligation as a public servant if he did anything other than vote against the Roberts nomination. That McCain should chastise anyone for voting this way speaks volumes about his values surrounding public service, representation, and partisanship.
The good news: McCain neglected to comment on (his new friend) Hillary Clinton’s vote against the Roberts nomination. Surprise surprise, McCain still sees Obama as the bigger threat.
Great point. And of course, what kind of maverick is McCain when it comes to justice? He voted for the same justices Obama voted against.