Here is the text of President Obama's just-delivered remarks relating to the Supreme Court's Citizens United v. FEC decision:
"With all due deference to separation of powers, last week, the Supreme Court reversed a century of law to open the floodgates for special interests – including foreign corporations – to spend without limit in our elections. Well I don't think American elections should be bankrolled by America's most powerful interests, or worse, by foreign entities. They should be decided by the American people, and that's why I'd urge Democrats and Republicans to pass a bill that corrects some of these problems."
The "all due deference" phrase, by the way, was not in the advance text of the speech. And was that a negative shake of the head from Justice Samuel Alito Jr.(a member of the majority in Citizens United) in response? Alito also appeared to mouth the words "not true." As we noted not long ago at this post it's unusual for justices to register much reaction to applause lines delivered during the speech.
FOOTNOTE: In addition to the justices in the chamber, from the Court we've spotted Jeffrey Minear, counselor to the chief justice; Pamela Talkin, marshal of the Court; and deputy clerk Cynthia Rapp.
UPDATE: Michael Keegan, president of the liberal People for the American Way, applauded Obama's criticism of the Citizens United decision and his call for legislation to undo its damage. In a statement Keegan added, “While legislation is a crucial part of the effort to repair this decision, it should be only a part of our response. In addition, we need to confirm Supreme Court Justices who will keep faith with the core values of the Constitution and move to enact a Constitutional amendment restoring government's ability to regulate the influence of corporations in elections."
Comments