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May 2, 2008

Former conservative rivals to join McCain for judicial speech

Posted: May 2nd, 2008 03:30 PM ET

From CNN Political Producer Peter Hamby

DENVER, Colorado (CNN) – John McCain’s campaign said Friday that Fred Thompson and Sam Brownback will join the presumptive GOP nominee in North Carolina next week for a major speech on judicial appointments.

Both Thompson and Brownback have endorsed the Arizona senator, and both Republicans presented themselves throughout the Republican primary battle as “consistent conservatives,” particularly regarding social issues and judicial appointments.

The speech, to be held Tuesday at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, will be just one element of a broader outreach to conservatives next week, according to the campaign.

McCain is expected to discuss the kinds of judges he would appoint up and down the federal bench.

Among grassroots conservatives, McCain has a spotty record on judicial nominees given his prominent role in the so-called “Gang of 14” compromise in 2005.

At the time, McCain helped bring together 14 Democratic and Republican senators to reach a deal on avoiding the so-called “nuclear option,” which would have overruled a lengthy Democratic filibuster preventing the confirmation of three conservative judicial nominees appointed by President Bush.

Filed under: John McCain

19 Comments | Permalink


Charlotte		May 2nd, 2008 8:05 pm ET Obama has taken over a million dollars in donations from sub-prime lenders. Citigroup,Washington Mutual,Countrywide,Credit Suisse, Centex and Goldman Sachs. He is beholden to them and their tatics. He talks out of both sides of his mouth. He is a typical politician who will say what he thinks you want to hear. Rev. Wright said it all, Obama is a politician who says what a politician needs to say to win."

myahquote		May 2nd, 2008 7:01 pm ET While I'd be open to McCain if Hillary was the nominee, this is the one issue that concern me. Think this speech will hurt him especially since he is doing it with Thompson and Brownback. The Judicial system is skewed far to much to the right because of 8 years of Bush. Four to 8 more years of conservative appointments would be even worse. This will hurt him if its too conservative.

Franky		May 2nd, 2008 6:57 pm ET Ohhh great, he comes the conservatives. I swear, I don't know where they'll be in about 50+ years from now......I mean, don't be surprised that we're gonna have "lightsabers" by that time. I'm telling you, you think we live in a Conservative country??? TRUST ME, once the "lightsabers" have come to life, we won't know what to believe anymore, LOL!!!! And for the record Conserves, I also consider myself a Conservative, O.K? I mean, you should hear my ideas and issues that I have, LOL!!! But even I know, that my conservative side, will change in about 20+ years from now............welcome to Earth.

CT Chriss		May 2nd, 2008 6:35 pm ET VOTE HILLARY so we can have a totally conservative court! McCain will beat her!

Steven		May 2nd, 2008 6:35 pm ET Republicans are coming together to win this election and we Democrats are fighting and some of us are even stupid enough to join the Repuplicans if our person is not on the ticket...so immature and chilish...grow up!! Democrats 08

dadbean		May 2nd, 2008 6:21 pm ET Brownback is supposed o be a help? You have to be kidding! His sole political agenda consist of abortion and gay marriage.

Richard		May 2nd, 2008 6:16 pm ET Only CNN could believe johnie boy is a Conservative.

NickSanDiego		May 2nd, 2008 5:44 pm ET CNN WHY DO YOU CLOSE EVERY POST ABOUT HILLARY SO WE CANNOT HAVE OUR VOICE BUT YOU LEAVE ALL OPEN ON OBAMA SO HE CAN BE BASHED ALL DAY!!!???????

ShannonL		May 2nd, 2008 5:41 pm ET This is the only way to get conservative Reps to vote. The next Pres could appoint a good number of new SP justices. If social conservatives think allowing a liberal to win the presidency is good for the party...they are sadly mistaken. They can stay home...but they shouldn't be shocked when the SP goes liberal for the next 30 years.

Jeff Spangler, Arlington, VA		May 2nd, 2008 5:37 pm ET Screw the conservative judicial picks on the Bush list. With any luck (OK, a lot of luck), the Democrats won't lose the election and can make a new list to start reversing the damage of years of Bush appointees.

After further review,Texas		May 2nd, 2008 5:15 pm ET Lets not forget all the wedge issues the radical fundimentalists survive on.They could be starving and not have a job,but think the Supreme Court will do something for them.They dont know those issues will never be resolved as long as they can turn elections.

Linda of Atlanta		May 2nd, 2008 5:11 pm ET Fred Dalton Thompson is an actor! He is also a terrible campaigner. Please go to NC and turn off some more voters to McCain. He's doing well in that regard, but I want Fred to give him some additional help.

Mary, Ind		May 2nd, 2008 5:10 pm ET John Mccain can't handle the big stage alone. He needs someone to poke him to stay awake. McCain has medical problems and has not release his medical records. The questions is why not?

Tony B B.C.Mich		May 2nd, 2008 5:02 pm ET COME ON PEOPLE............... JOHN McCAIN, REPUBLICANS, HALIBURTON, IRAQ, OIL, AFGAN WAR, 4000 US FATALITIES........... THE ECONOMY...............DIEBOLD....ELECTRONIC ELECTIONS....THE PAST 8 YEARS.....................WHAT ELESE DO WE NEED TO GO THROUGH BEFORE WE DECLARE MISSION ACCOMPLISHED ................ PLEASE STEP INTO THE LIGHT................ THE RECORD SPEAKS FOR ITSELF............................................ OBAMA 08!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

James		May 2nd, 2008 4:59 pm ET Bunch of losers......... L-)

elliott		May 2nd, 2008 4:57 pm ET Go Sam!!!! Hey John, he would make a great VP...

mitch from ark.		May 2nd, 2008 4:54 pm ET the only thing i dislike more than hillary, is a republican.

Darth Vadik, CA		May 2nd, 2008 4:52 pm ET Haven't we had enough os Scalias, you know the guy who said: (I'm paraphrasing) "...torure is not cruel and unusual punishment because at the time you are being tortured you are not being punished for a crime..." Do we really need more justices like these?

honkey white guy from cali		May 2nd, 2008 4:51 pm ET zzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZ can we get to real news now
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