Friday, May 15, 2009

Gun Rights Records Of Obama's Supreme Court Nominee Frontrunners Are Dismal

Barack Obama will be making his Supreme Court replacement nomination soon. Although six people have been named as possible replacements, Obama could nominate another. There are no specific Constitutional qualifications for the job. SCOTUS Justices don't even have to be lawyers.

Here are some positions on gun rights taken by these six possible front runners.

Former Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano is now our Homeland Security chief. She has an anti gun record. She vetoed an Arizona bill that would have allowed a defensive display of firearms by Arizonans when confronted by a criminal. She also vetoed a bill that would ave made concealed weapons permits valid for the holder's life. She is also responsible for the slanderous Homeland Security report about the "terrorist" right wing.

2nd Circuit Appeals Court Judge Sonia Sotomayor has said that it is the job of the Court to "make law." This has the effect of acting as a super legislature, rather than just interpreting the law. She was one of two judges on her Court who ruled that the Second Amendment does not apply to the states. She has a similar personal background as Barack Obama.

California Supreme Court Justice Carlos Moreno has an anti gun record in California. He joined with the majority of his Court in ruling that California Counties have the right to ban gun shows on their property.

Solicitor General Elena Kagan. The Solicitor General's office supervises and conducts government litigation in the United States Supreme Court. Her view of the Heller case is that there was no reason for the Court to rule any other way than it did against restrictive D.C. Gun laws. She believes that the Solicitor General's office will continue to defend against constitutional challenges to various federal firearms regulations.

Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm was a vocal opponent of proposed concealed carry laws in 2002. She was among those predicting shootouts at every traffic accident. She recently said that her anti concealed carry posture was proved wrong by law abiding Michigan concealed permit holders. Some consider her a "moderate" Democrat. She may not be liberal enough for Obama for her to get this job.

Obama's statements have made it clear that he is looking for an "activist" to join the Court. He certainly isn't looking for an originalist interpretation of the law.
By replacing a liberal with a liberal, at least the appointment of an Obama radical won't tip the balance of the Court. Based on Obama's criteria for activism, Sonia Sotomayor may be perfect for Obama.

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