Barry and the Supremes
Their latest tune? Money.
In the State of the Union speech last night, political rhetoric would be expected. The President, as winner-in-chief, is the nominal head of his party, although the dogs are always nipping at his heels. But his public excoriation of a decision by the Supreme Court of the United States (on political funding) during a joint session is nothing but a scrap of raw meat to try to rally the more determined left half of his party.
This was no different politically than Hugo Chavez or Fidel Castro blaming social problems on the United States. In this case, he is an elected, term-limited leader who rhetorically is challenging the judgment of a group of unelected, life-tenured judges, who we depend on to referee the important issues for us. Not everybody likes a call that goes against your team, but it is unsportsmanlike to try to dump on the referee, and that is exactly what he is doing.
This country managed to support two vastly different political parties, with peaceful transitions of power for two centuries without the limits the McCain-Feingold act imposed. But you would think the sky is falling to listen to some of the people that disagree with the ruling, including Mr. Obama.
At the heart of this is the recognition that after the loss in Massachusetts, something has to be done to retain the interest of (and contributions from) the party faithful, by creating a caricature of a new enemy lurking amongst us. The tactic is not new, and not left-wing, other examples include the Roe v. Wade decision (which has raised countless funds for both sides of the argument).
Well, so much for post-partisan politics. It’s like 1977 all over again.