Conservatives Skeptical Re: McCain on Judges

(Hat tip: Brian Saint-Paul at InsideCatholic)

From The Washington Times:

For decades, Republican presidential candidates have rallied the party's base by warning against a federal judiciary filled with liberal appointments, but many conservative activists and pollsters are skeptical that the issue will work well for Sen. John McCain.

Long-standing distrust of Mr. McCain and the composition of the Senate fuel the conservative doubts, although some Republicans think the judges issue can help their party win the White House, particularly in light of the recent 5-4 decision that gave foreign terrorism suspects at Guantanamo Bay the right to go to court.

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Rob Haney, a Republican Party committee member from Arizona, Mr. McCain's state, said any judicial appointments would have to pass muster with a Democrat-led Senate. Under such a scenario in 1987, President Reagan had to replace his Supreme Court nominee, Robert Bork, with Anthony M. Kennedy.

"With the probable Democrat gains in the Senate, coupled with the liberal Republicans already there, such as Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins, Arlen Specter, what does it matter that McCain says he will appoint conservative judges?" Mr. Haney said. "He will take what the liberals give him."

[More]

Previous Pro Ecclesia posts on this subject:
Doesn't He Have a Point?

If Elected, McCain Should Nominate a Senator to Fill a Supreme Court Vacancy (cough ... Brownback ... cough) [UPDATED]

Obama’s Laughable Judicial Philosophy: His Ridiculous Response to McCain's Speech on the Judiciary

McCain's Justice Advisory Committee

Brownback Previews McCain Speech on Judiciary [UPDATED - Must-read text from McCain's speech]

The "McCain Saved Alito" Meme

Blast from the Past: McCain and the Supreme Court

Manuel Miranda Endorses John McCain

Byron York: "More McCain and Judges"

Robert Novak: "Is McCain a Conservative?" (Confirms Story on McCain and Alito)

McCain: Alito "Too Conservative"

Opportunist McCain Woos Conservatives on Judges