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Politics : The Obama - Clinton Disaster -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: GROUND ZERO™ who wrote (26978)	3/10/2010 7:21:14 AM
From: TideGlider	1 Recommendation Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 103300

Roberts: Scene at State of Union 'Very Troubling' AP President Obama chided the court for its campaign finance decision during the January address, with six of the court's nine justices seated before him in their black robes. print email share recommend (9) AP Jan. 27: President Obama greets members of Congress on his way to deliver the State of the Union. TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts said Tuesday the scene at President Barack Obama's first State of the Union address was "very troubling" and that the annual speech to Congress has "degenerated into a political pep rally." Responding to a University of Alabama law student's question about the Senate's method of confirming justices, Roberts said senators improperly try to make political points by asking questions they know nominees can't answer because of judicial ethics rules. "I think the process is broken down," he said. Obama chided the court for its campaign finance decision during the January address, with six of the court's nine justices seated before him in their black robes. Roberts said he wonders whether justices should attend the address. "To the extent the State of the Union has degenerated into a political pep rally, I'm not sure why we're there," said Roberts, a Republican nominee who joined the court in 2005. Roberts said anyone is free to criticize the court and that some have an obligation to do so because of their positions. "So I have no problems with that," he said. "On the other hand, there is the issue of the setting, the circumstances and the decorum. The image of having the members of one branch of government standing up, literally surrounding the Supreme Court, cheering and hollering while the court -- according the requirements of protocol -- has to sit there expressionless, I think is very troubling." Breaking from tradition, Obama used the speech to criticize the court's decision that allows corporations and unions to freely spend money to run political ads for or against specific candidates. "With all due deference to the separation of powers, the Supreme Court reversed a century of law to open the floodgates for special interests -- including foreign corporations -- to spend without limit in our elections," Obama said. Justice Samuel Alito was the only justice to respond at the time, shaking his head and appearing to mouth the words "not true" as Obama continued. In response to Roberts' remarks Tuesday, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs focused on the court's decision and not the chief justice's point about the time and place for criticism of the court. "What is troubling is that this decision opened the floodgates for corporations and special interests to pour money into elections -- drowning out the voices of average Americans," Gibbs said. "The president has long been committed to reducing the undue influence of special interests and their lobbyists over government. That is why he spoke out to condemn the decision and is working with Congress on a legislative response." Justice Antonin Scalia once said he no longer goes to the annual speech because the justices "sit there like bumps on a log" in an otherwise highly partisan atmosphere. Roberts opened his appearance in Alabama with a 30-minute lecture on the history of the Supreme Court and became animated as he answered students' questions. He joked about a recent rumor that he was stepping down from the court and said he didn't know he wanted to be a lawyer until he was in law school. While Associate Justice Clarence Thomas told students at Alabama last fall he saw little value in oral arguments before the court, Roberts disagreed. "Maybe it's because I participated in it a lot as a lawyer," Roberts said. "I'd hate to think it didn't matter." Leave a Comment Sort: Newest Sort: Oldest Subscribe to CommentsSort: Newest Sort: Oldest Email * not displayed Comment Required Comment FOX News encourages you to participate in this discussion; however, please be sure to review our Terms of Use and Privacy Statement or Leave a CommentYou must be logged in to comment. Please login or register below. Already a member of FOXNews.com? Log in now Username or Email Address Password Remember me on this computer Forgot your password? or login using a third-party account Reset Password To reset your password, please fill in your email below. A password reset link will be emailed to you. Email Address Not a member yet? Register Now On FOXNews.com It's FREE and only takes a minute! Get access to: Breaking news and access to video and infographics Exclusive FOXNews blogs and community features Channel info and more!

To: GROUND ZERO™ who wrote (26978)	3/11/2010 12:15:01 PM
From: DuckTapeSunroof	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 103300

Senate-passed health care bill would cut deficit (AP) – 1 hour ago google.com WASHINGTON — Congressional budget referees say Senate legislation that's now the foundation for President Barack Obama's health care plan would cut the federal deficit by $118 billion over 10 years. The Congressional Budget Office says the $875 billion, 10-year plan would provide coverage to 31 million people who'd otherwise be uninsured. And it says the cost would be more than offset in savings from changes in Medicare and other programs. Obama's plan would build on the legislation passed by the Senate on Christmas Eve, by expanding subsidies for health insurance premiums, closing the Medicare prescription coverage gap, and making scores of other changes. No estimates are yet available for Obama's latest proposal, but Democratic leaders want to keep the 10-year cost at around $950 billion. Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.