WASHINGTON (CNN) - Picking on President Obama's statement that he's searching for a Supreme Court justice with "empathy" for ordinary Americans' problems. Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele joked Friday that the president is "looking to put Doctor Phil on the Court."
Addressing the National Rifle Association, Steele warned that "liberal Democrats could control every lever of every branch of government" if Obama picks a "young, activist, left-wing justice."
"Supreme Court justices hold lifetime appointments," Steele said according to his prepared remarks. "That is why it is imperative that President Obama take his time and search for a nominee with the wisdom and grounding to interpret the laws of our great nation – not one who will have a knee jerk desire to 'empathize' with the concerns of Americans. Sounds like instead of another Judge Roberts, the President is looking to put Doctor Phil on the Court."
Steele also criticized Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano for a recent report warning of "right-wing extremism," calling it "silly" and "sad." He said it is "ironic" that some Democrats are trying to restrict gun ownership while considering bringing detainees from Guantanamo Bay to prisons in the United States.
"It is ironic, to say the least, that at the same time Democrats in Congress are threatening to deny Americans their second amendment right to own a firearm and defend their families and homes, they are considering bringing terrorists like 9-11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed and other Al Qaeda detainees to our communities once the President follows through on his campaign promise to close Guantanamo Bay," Steele said.
From CNN Politics
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The GOP needs a Dr. Phil to help them with their cognitive disorders...inability to think rationally =)
what a jerk. Shoots off with no common sense.
Hmmmm! So it is OK for BushCo to appoint to right-wing judges, but Obama is not even supposed to look towards any left-wing Judges?
I didn't read this because I know whatever he putting out there's nothing to it but a put down.
Steele crawl back under that rock you came from and stay there.
Steele is the single best thing for Democrats since Bush left office.
A gift that never stops giving.
I think he might be a bit sore at the smackdown Obama gave him at the function last week.
Remember as Steele said himself :
"Why would I be jealous of Obama?".
I only listen to people who know what the word "ironic" means.
Steele needs to talk to Sarah Palin. Their IQ's are about the same–as low as they can get.
Can someone tell me when "empathy" became a bad thing?
Steele and the GOP....
Still FEAR AND SMEAR.
No ideas.
You would think beings steele is the head of the GOP would quit making nasty remarks. He would try to lead his party better. Guess he must of been talking to Rush again. Why dont you be a real leader and pull your party out of the mess they are in.
The report that Napolitano released was requested by BUSH!
Why don't the republicans take responsibility for anything?
He's GOT to be kidding. See, it's comments like his that make the Republican Party sound like a bunch of pouting 5-year-olds who had their favors stolen at the birthday party. The more the extremists whine, the more put off the majority of the country gets. The more fear-mongering they do, the more sense the Middle-Of-the-Roaders (of both parties) make.
Maybe Rush Limbaugh is correct: Maybe the Moderates of the GOP should just switch to the Democratic Party and leave these extreme right-wingers alone to wallow alone in their misery.
Yes, the last thing we would want is a supreme court justice who emphathizes with the concerns of the American people.
Melvyn Polatchek
Webster – Empathy – the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner
As nothing is ever black and white, I'm thinking that all judges should have the ability the empathize. I would suggest that one who has the ability is much wiser than one who can't. Perhaps you right wing nuts, forget Solomon and Christ, both quite wise and quite able to empathize in their deliberation
I am sure Preasident Obama is going to listen to this "Obama wannabe". This guy couldn't even get elected to the Senate when he tried to pretend to be a Democrat.
In case Steele forgot, Pres. Obama was elected on his campaign promises.
Same old misrepresentation of facts from a man who couldn't tell fact from fiction if his livelihood depended on it.
I'd rather see someone that combines jurisprudence and empathy to interpret the spirit of the law. Of course I'm sure the GOP would rather have another heartless bigot like Scalia in the court that would further subvert basic fundamentals of equal rights in our country for his own petty belief system and fears.
As for his last bit of fear-mongering, it's not like terror suspects are going to be moved into the house next door. They'll be moved to an actual legal prison, and if they're in general population they'll be lucky to live through the first few days to be honest.
Steele has already proven he needs fact-checkers to surround him before he opens his mouth. Or maybe he just desperately needs a hug.
"That is why it is imperative that President Obama take his time and search for a nominee with the wisdom and grounding to interpret the laws of our great nation – not one who will have a knee jerk desire to 'empathize' with the concerns of Americans...."
–Michael Steele
Uhhhhh....I am stunned and speechless.
Is this guy capable of talking without stupid coming out?
Awesome! Steele, I love every time you open your mouth. Keep it up! Pretty soon the GOP will account for less than 25% of Americans.
Seriously, is he freaking crazy? "Liberal" judge retires, complain to Obama that he should appoint a conservative. Uh, right. Makes perfect sense. Then, he goes and says that Americans don't need someone who will empathize with them. I mean.. WOW. Clearly 2008 taught the GOP NOTHING. Looks like another landslide in 2010!
Michael stop already!!! Every effort you make to capitalize or criticize my Barack you end up looking desparate and embarring all of "us" (if you know what I mean)!!!!! Just focus on your own party okay?? Goodness!?!?!
When have the Democrats threatened to take away people's Second Amendment rights? When has President Obama done this? I've never personally heard them do this, so it's coming across as simple fearmongering from the right. I seriously don't think people have anything to worry about. Eric Holder has assured Americans that the prisoners at Guantanamo will be released in a way and in a place that will not harm Americans. Geez. Why whip up controversy when it hasn't happened yet? Wait until it happens. Then you can whip the hordes into a frenzy.
Every time Mr. Steele opens his mouth, he proves to the world not only is he in over his head, but he is also a certified idiot!
The rethuglicants should be looking for a new GOP chair with a connection to reality "not one who will have a knee jerk desire to stick his foot in his mouth at every opportunity" like Steele does...
Aw this is too cute, he is trying to use fear to strengthen his group. Well I guess if you can't use it anynmore on the rest of America, might as well use it on yourselves.
BTW, I AM a gun owner AND voted for Obama, because unlike Republicans, I am not a fearful coward, I'm an American with courage who doesn't ASSume.
I'm also part of the NRA, but only cause I got the membership for free and get discounts at the range.
Michael Steel makes me ashamed to call myself a conservative. Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi should make Dems ashamed, as well. When will you guys learn that Dems and Repubs are just two puppets with the same master and the global elite keep the masses down by perpetrating the ruse. Bush killed the Constitution. Obama will bury it.