Senator McCain spoke at Wake Forest University today on his judicial philosophy. The text of the speech can be found here.
From a conservative perspective, he says all the right things. I take him at his word. I can’t imagine that, were he elected President, he would select someone who would rankle the folks who have worked so hard to reshape the contemporary legal culture.
Senator McCain also spoke eloquently about the rule of law. He concluded his speech with this passage:
There was a day when all could enter the federal courthouses of our country feeling something distinctive about them — the hush of serious business, the quiet presence of the majesty of the law. Quite often, you can still find it there. And in all the institutions of government there is nothing to match the sight of a court of law at its best. My commitment to you and to all the American people is to help restore the standards and spirit that give the judicial branch its place of honor in our government. Every federal court should command respect, instead of just obedience. Every federal court should be a refuge from abuses of power, and not the source. In every federal court in America, we must have confidence again that no rule applies except the rule of law, and that no interest is served except the interest of justice.
I would be interested in seeing Senator Obama’s response to the speech, including a more thorough explanation of why he was one of 22 Senators to vote against Chief Justice Roberts.