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Note to McCain: Gitmo Ruling Hardly 'Worst'

Shame on candidate for playing politics on habeas corpus

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 17, 2008 1:29 PM CDT

(Newser) – John McCain's painting of last week's Guantanamo Bay ruling as one of the Supreme Court’s “worst decisions" has George Will scoffing in the Washington Post. Various segregation rulings could hold that title, he notes, but more important to McCain should be the justices' affirmation of habeas corpus, "the heart of the centuries-long struggle to constrain governments"—something the Republican should, in theory, be aiming for.

"He who wants to reassure constitutionalist conservatives that he understands the importance of limited government should be reminded why the habeas right has long been known as 'the great writ of liberty,'" Will writes of McCain, before reminding that, after all, the presidential hopeful could one day take an oath swearing to defend the Constitution.

In this May 14, 2008 file photo reviewed by the U.S. Military, a detainee covers his face with his hands in Camp 4 at the Guantanamo Bay US Naval Base in Cuba.
In this May 14, 2008 file photo reviewed by the U.S. Military, a detainee covers his face with his hands in Camp 4 at the Guantanamo Bay US Naval Base in Cuba.   (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd,File)
A demonstrator dressed as a Guantanamo detainee.
A demonstrator dressed as a Guantanamo detainee.   (Getty Images)
Guantanamo Bay
Guantanamo Bay   (Getty Images)
Demonstrators in orange jumpsuits
Demonstrators in orange jumpsuits   (Getty Images)
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