Alito vs. Obama: Opposing Views

Obama too timid on federal nominees, with big issues coming

(NEWSER) - With big issues working their way toward the Supreme Court on such vital issues as health care reform, same-sex marriage, affirmative action, and police stops of undocumented immigrants, liberals need to be on guard, writes longtime court-watcher Emily Bazelon for the New York Times . Sure, there are solid progressives, such as Obama appointees Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. But frequent swing vote Anthony Kennedy, while he may side with liberals on occasion, has a voting record on par with Ronald Reagan. More»

Roberts irked by 'pep-rally' mood at State of the Union

(NEWSER) - Chief Justice John Roberts says it's "very troubling" that President Obama criticized a Supreme Court decision amid a "pep-rally" atmosphere at his State of the Union address. Obama said in the speech that the decision to allow corporations to spend freely on campaign ads "opened the floodgates for special interests," sparking cheers from Democrats who surrounded the justices. More»

Justice makes a point of skipping them

(NEWSER) - Clarence Thomas says he skips State of the Union addresses—including President Obama’s last week—“because it has become so partisan,” he told a Florida law school this week. “It’s very uncomfortable for a judge to sit there,” he said. “There’s a lot that you don’t hear on TV—the catcalls, the whooping and hollering and under-the-breath comments.” More»

'Forgot he was black'? He must have also forgotten about his mic

(NEWSER) - The moment the words were out of his mouth, Chris Matthews must have known he was bait for Jon Stewart, who last night on the Daily Show couldn't resist calling Matthews—who also "might have forgotten you're miked"—“one scotch away from being Ron Burgundy.” He then brought on Wyatt Cenac to analyze the media's response to the president's address. After using phrases like “pompous punditry,” and “trapped in a Sartre play,” Cenac gasped, “I forgot I was black!” before breaking into an impressive rendition of “Pants on the Ground.” More»

Obama puts up his dukes in feisty speech

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama’s first State of the Union Address naturally has all the pundits talking. Here’s what they’re saying:

• “It was a terrific performance,” writes Joe Klein of Time . “He seemed to be having fun up there,” ad-libbing and needling the “recalcitrant elephants in the room.” There wasn’t a ton of substance, but “the eloquence and sense of purpose was riveting. … He wasn’t cuddly, but who cares?”