Newt Gingrich Argues ‘Dictatorial’ Judges Need Political Discipline
Fair Courts E-lert
Bibliographic Info:
Author: Paul Blumenthal
Source: Huffington Post
Date: December 16, 2011
Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich—who recently stated on CBS “Face the Nation” that a president could send in law enforcement officials to arrest judges who make controversial rulings—last year directed over $150,000 toward the campaign to oust 3 Iowa Supreme Court justices who legalized same-sex marriage in the state. Yet some Republicans, including other presidential candidates, are expressing concern over the escalating court-bashing rhetoric. In a GOP debate last Thursday night, Representative Ron Paul described Gingrich’s plan as “a real affront to the separation of powers." Former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has also cautioned against an all-out assault on the judiciary. In a Fox News Latino commentary, Gonzalez asserted that “recommendations or measures that go beyond criticism, that are intended to intimidate, or have the effect of intimidating judges, or that suggest judicial decisions should be ignored, are unwise and repugnant to an ordered society.”
See also: Lucy Madison, Gingrich: Gov't Branches Should Rule 2 out of 3, CBS News, December 18, 2011; Jill Lawrence, Who's More Radical, Gingrich or the Courts He Wants to Abolish?, National Journal, December 16, 2011; Amy Gardner and Matt DeLong, Newt Gingrich’s Assault on ‘Activist Judges’ Draws Criticism, Even From Right, Washington Post, December 17, 2011; Alberto Gonzales, Imbalance of Power?, Fox News Latino, December 15, 2011; Joel Hannahs, Marriage, Money, Iowa, World Magazine, December 14, 2011.