Tuesday's Internet Edition, May 13, 2008.
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Speaking to a crowd of a wide array of ages at Wait Chapel, the likely Republican nominee gave a speech on judicial philosophy.
With Sen. Richard Burr, R-NC, former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, Ted Olson, a former solicitor general and conservative lawyer, and wife Cindy sitting behind him, McCain’s speech went flawlessly, except for one part. The senator from Arizona slipped up when thanking Wake Forest University for hosting his speech.
“We appreciate the hospitality of the students and faculty of West Virginia — of this great, great Wake Forest University,” said McCain, which ignited a chuckle from the crowd. “I’m catching up with my speech.”
McCain, 72, maintained his composure by saying to the students in attendance, “I know exam week involves some tough moments, like when you’re up at 3 a.m. and have to choose between studying and watching one of Fred [Thompson’s] old movies.”
All joking aside, McCain talked heavily on the Constitution.
“For decades now, some federal judges have taken it upon themselves to pronounce and rule on matters that were never intended to be heard in courts or decided by judges, with a presumption that would have amazed the framers of our constitution, and legal reasoning that would have mystified them,” he said. “Federal judges today issue rulings and opinions on policy questions that should be decided democratically.”
To fix what he calls a problem with judges, McCain said the “only remedy available to any of us is to find, nominate and confirm better judges.”
“Quite rightly, the proper role of the judiciary has become one of the defining issues of this presidential election,” the senator said. “It will fall to the next president to nominate hundreds of qualified men and women to the federal courts.”
Then McCain tried to separate himself with Democratic presidential hopefuls Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton.
“My two prospective opponents and I have very different ideas about the nature and proper exercise of judicial power,” he said. “We would nominate judges of a different kind, a different caliber, a different understanding of judicial authority and its limits.”
McCain’s speech on judicial philosophy lasted about 25 minutes, and didn’t address gas prices, jobs or the Iraq War – issues that Obama and Clinton have addressed heavily in the Tar Heel state.
Obama captured the majority of the delegates with a decisive 14-point win in North Carolina. He gave his victory speech in Raleigh.
Staff Writer Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 472-9500, ext. 231, or ignasiak@tvilletimes.com.