Obama Blasts Supreme Court Campaign Finance Ruling

[jefferson_dem]

Obama Blasts Supreme Court Campaign Finance Ruling
by The Associated Press

President Barack Obama on Saturday sharply criticized a Supreme Court decision easing limits on campaign spending by corporations and labor unions, saying he couldn't "think of anything more devastating to the public interest." He also suggested the ruling could jeopardize his domestic agenda.

In its 5-4 decision this week, the high court overturned two decisions and threw out parts of a 63-year-old law that said companies and unions can be prohibited from using their own money to produce and run campaign ads that urge the election or defeat of particular candidates by name.

Portraying himself as aligned with the people and not special interests, Obama said the decision was unacceptable.

"This ruling opens the floodgates for an unlimited amount of special interest money into our democracy," the president said in his weekly radio and Internet message. "It gives the special interest lobbyists new leverage to spend millions on advertising to persuade elected officials to vote their way — or to punish those who don't."

Obama said that means public servants who stand up to Wall Street banks, oil companies, health insurers and other powerful interests could find themselves under attack when election time rolls around.

"I can't think of anything more devastating to the public interest," he said. "The last thing we need to do is hand more influence to the lobbyists in Washington or more power to the special interests to tip the outcome of elections."

<SNIP>

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122817596

[eShirl]

1. "Portraying himself as aligned with the people and not special interests"

ha ha

[glowing]

3. Don't you like that slanted word "portraying himself". So, is he really a corp.

stooge? Or is he really a People person? AND how in the world are we ever going to dismantle the news conglomerates with this ruling in place? They are too powerful and influential in misleading this nation.

[quantass]

4. Found it funny too...

Wellp, let's hope he's genuine this time. Time will tell. After all, this would potentially screw him over during reelection in '12, but then maybe corporations will prolly gladly fork over keys to their own companies to his campaign in gratitude of his generous assistance for the last year.

My hope is the MA scare has FINALLY put him on the right track to work for the people....crossing my fingers.

[jefferson_dem]

5. Ah...eternally cynical are we?

I read this line as simply descriptive. Truth: Politicians (yes, POTUS is one :wow:) only make public pronouncements because they want the public to hear what they have to say.

[tango-tee]

6. That jumped out to me as well.

I keep hoping against hope, big dummy me.

[DisgustedInMN]

7. To quote a Rep I can't stand...

"Liar!"

(Not you, eShirl)

[jefferson_dem]

19. Cozying up to crazy nutbag Joe Wilson now...

Cute.

My advice: Keep digging. It's always good to know exactly where and with whom DUers stand.

[DisgustedInMN]

23. Which part of " I can't stand" ...

... is it, you don't comprehend? Better break out a dictionary and study up.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

27. And you didn't even get that two word quote right.

[DisgustedInMN]

28. But ... but ... but..

... according to your fellow administration apologist..

... I'm "cozying up" to the asshole?

You can't have it both ways. What's your preference?

:crazy:

[SemiCharmedQuark]

29. I don't think you're cozying up to him by attempting to quote him.

I do think your attempt to be funny was pretty pitiful given that Rachel and Keith played that quote about fifty times over the course of that week and the entire quote is only two words.

[DisgustedInMN]

30. I guess we have something in common then...

... I pity any supposed Democrat that is so infatuated with a dickhead Republican that they carry their quotes around like a prize. Personally, I care fuckall about getting it "just right" when it comes to quotes from shitballs. But you're welcome to idolize anyone you please.

[FreakinDJ]

2. FAT Chance Corp Media will carry this story

Unless you enjoy Privatizing the Profits and Socializing the Losses you will get behind overturning the decisions to Granting Corporations Personhood

[Clio the Leo]

8. CNN just broadcast about half of it....

.... if they've shown part of his Youtube before, it has't been often. I was pleasantly surprised.

[AndyA]

9. Message to President Obama: actions speak louder than words

You have made us a lot of promises. You accepted our money and we voted for you to put you in the job you asked us for.

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN TO KEEP YOUR END OF THE DEAL.

Transparency. How's that going, anyway? It sure seems like there's some nasty stuff being covered up by your administration, President Obama. Things like torture, endless detention of people without being charged with anything, and what exactly did go on during the Bush years?

Gay people are still waiting to be treated equally. So they aren't tossed out of the military, and can share the same rights and benefits as...well, as you, Mr President. There was a time when people thought you shouldn't have the same rights due to the color of your skin. Some still feel that way. Being gay is not a choice, it just is. Like having black skin, or blue eyes. Equality is a right, not a privilege.

Health care...yes, we're still waiting for that, too. How many people have died or will die while you and Congress take your time on this? GET. IT. DONE. Force it through, get the best you can then insist on making it right for the people.

You've taken care of Wall Street, now take care of Main Street. I'm sure you can understand why some of us question your intentions. We're still waiting for jobs. The economy will not recover without them. Some of the people close to your in your administration have questionable pasts. Perhaps it's time to bring in some fresh people who aren't compromised from day one.

We're watching you, Mr. President. And you're running out of time. You'll either be like so many of the others, or you truly will make history by bringing the change you promised. It's been luke warm so far. Yes, you've done some great things, but a good many others remain undone.

We're waiting for that change you promised us. Are you going to be a hero, Obama? Or a one termer who turned out to be not much better than the others, despite big promises? It's your choice.

[Democat]

10. Good for Obama, but he needs to target Roberts personally!

Republicans constantly attack the 9th Circuit - why don't Democrats go after the activist Supreme Court Justices? Roberts should be impeached for lying during his confirmation. At the very least, Democrats in the house or senate should threaten to bring him before a grand jury to see if he was lying during his confirmation hearings. Even if it never goes that far, Democrats need to send a strong warning to Roberts that he can't get away with just doing everything the Republican party tells him to do. He is supposed to be a judge, not a politician.

[struggle4progress]

14. Here are the Roberts confirmation hearing transcripts. Feel free to go through them

carefully: if you find a prosecutable misrepresentation, lots of us would be glad to know of it

Transcripts: The Roberts Confirmation Hearings
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/linkset/2005/09/14/LI2005091402149.html

[jefferson_dem]

11. Stay cheeky DU.

The Democratic President comes out forcefully against the shitball SCOTUS ruling and there's already as much cynical, whiny "critiques" on this thread that if the topic was posted in FreeperVille. Well done, fellas.

[Robb]

12. It's easier than actually doing anything about it.

If the world is ending, you don't have to clean your room. ;)

[DisgustedInMN]

13. Get back to us ..

.. when he's actually done something more than flap his gums, ok?

[jefferson_dem]

18. "Flap his gums"...

Dude. Your comment doesn't really deserve the dignity of a response. But I will say that it's pretty ironic that those who probably complained the loudest about Boosh's "unitary executive" are now demanding the President *take action* by immediately and single-handedly overturning a ruling the SCOTUS just handed down three days ago. "HE AIN'T DONE NUTHIN' BOUT IT YET11!!!!!!". You don't quite grasp separation of powers and all that, do ya?

[DisgustedInMN]

22. Thanks for the ...

... excuse making and condescending attitude, doooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood, but I've kind of had my fill of that kind of crap, for now. Do you do the mindreading thing professionally?

[crappyjazz]

16. Here's cheeky for ya

http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/summary.php?ind=F09&recipdetail=M&sortorder=U&cycle=2008

Perhaps he's worried now that he won't get as much in 2012?

[Hansel]

25. Here's cheeky for you

I work at a bank and donated over $1000 to Obama. I'm an application programmer. When I made my donations I put down the name of the bank I work at which is required by law. If you pull of the financial institution contributions my $1000 is in there. But I certainly did not make my donation on their behalf. There were a lot of people I work with who also have no influence over bank policy that also donated to Democratic candidates. So you see where I'm going with this?

You are trying to make a point with meaningless data. Unless you have the detail behind the numbers proving that the money came from the corporation itself trying to gain favor you are not providing any evidence that backs up your assumption. If you were awake during the campaign you know that Obama got a tremendous number of donations of over $200 from individuals that get counted in these totals. Many of these people work in the insurance industry because it employs many people.

The Supreme Court decision is a tremendously frightening decision. This country and anyone who cares to hang on to this democracy had better stop with the childish sniping and take this just a little more seriously.

[dgibby]

17. Obermann was more forceful than Obama.

That's why I am instructing my Administration to get to work immediately with Congress on this issue. We are going to talk with bipartisan Congressional leaders to develop a forceful response to this decision. The public interest requires nothing less.

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/obama-blasts-scotus-decision-citizens-united

"talk with bipartisan Congressional leaders". How'd that work out for HCR?

He's going to "bipartisan" himself out of a job.

[jefferson_dem]

21. Keith is a fucking teevee commentator.

The weekly standard? Good Lord...

Whatever. Laws are actually passed by Congress before they are signed by POTUS. What would you prefer? A benevolent dictatorship... in the "public interest"?

[Cha]

24. They'll whine about anything.

[Jennicut]

15. Obama does not want to have to keep up with corporate candidate X in the 2012 elections

He is going to have to BEG for money to keep up with the Repub candidate in 2012. I think most Dems don't like this ruling just for that reason alone.

[Arkana]

20. I find it particularly funny that John McCain is dead silent.

As is Russ Feingold.

Remember that campaign finance reform bill they co-sponsored?

[Hansel]

26. McCain made a lack luster "I'm disappinted" statement on CNN yesterday

But I hear that Olympia Snowe is livid. So why isn't she on. I thought I heard Feingold was already drafting new legislation.