Reply #58: I think it is

[H2O Man]

worth noting that Barack Obama has spoken numerous times about the need to restore the Great Writ. Anyone who has followed his campaign should be aware of that. And as I've noted on several threads, it was President Clinton who worked with republicans to damage the protections provided by habeas corpus, which allowed Bush to take the second step. (A review of all of the president debates from both parties shows that Obama, unlike either McCain or Clinton, has spoken out about this issue.)

Obama is the best bet to appoint the highest quality of federal judges, including to the US Supreme Court. It is necessary for federal courts to place limits on the "imperial presidency" that Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., warned of in 1974. If citizens want to have access to information on any potentially controversial issue (9/11, the Plame scandal, etc), this is only possible with a federal judiciary that respects the Constitution, including the Bill of Rights.

Good OP and interesting thread. Thank you.