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PFAW's Kolbert: We need a conversation about the Court and the Constitution, not more sleaze from the smearmongers of the Right

The Judicial Confirmation Network, a group of right-wing activists that mobilized support for the Bush administration's efforts to impose its political agenda on the federal judiciary, has launched a mud-slinging ad campaign that is ostensibly about the Supreme Court but does nothing to address the issues at stake for all Americans in the future of the judiciary.

People For the American Way today joined with allied groups to deliver more than 170,000 petitions to the Commission on Presidential Debates demanding that the schedule of Presidential debates remain intact. "I'm thrilled that John McCain has agreed, however reluctantly, to attend tonight's debate," said Kathryn Kolbert, president of People For the American Way. "The American people saw through his flimsy excuses and I’m proud that People For members were a part of that. Debates are not a distraction from the business at hand — they’re central to our democratic system. The stakes are higher than ever, which makes it even more important that the American people understand the choice they face."

People For the American Way today applauded Barack Obama's presidential campaign for pulling out of an event that was moderated by militant anti-abortion activist Rob Schenck. Schenck is best known for his involvement in a publicity stunt that included shoving a fetus in the face of then-candidate Bill Clinton. He was also involved in founding the aggressive anti-abortion group Operation Rescue and led protests against Dr. Barnett Slepian, who was later assassinated by an Operation Rescue activist.

As part of its Supreme Court campaign, People For the American Way cites a report released today by its affiliated Foundation titled The Human Toll: How Individual Americans Have Fared at the Hands of Bush Judges. The report collects some of the stories of American men, women, and children whose cases have come before judges nominated by George W. Bush and confirmed by the Senate. "George Bush's judges have done irreparable harm to real people in our nation," said People For the American Way President Kathryn Kolbert, who also pointed out that John McCain has supported 100% of Bush's judicial nominees. "President Bush has largely succeeded in reshaping the judiciary in his own image, and he's had the support of John McCain every step of the way."

In 2000, John McCain solidified his "maverick" reputation by lambasting the Religious Right. He labeled Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell "agents of intolerance" and decried the Right's role within the Republican Party:

"They are corrupting influences on religion and politics, and those who practice them in the name of religion or in the name of the Republican Party or in the name of America shame our faith, our party and our country."

"John McCain has been working hard to get back in the good graces of the Right," said People For the American Way President Kathryn Kolbert. "By choosing Sarah Palin, he's given them exactly what they want — a book banning, anti-choice, anti-gay, anti-science extremist who's short on experience but long on ideology. Americans don't want a candidate who believes that victims of rape and incest should be denied a right to choose abortion. But the far right does. They said jump, and McCain just asked how high."

In return, the right-wing's response has been over the top:

James Dobson, Focus on the Family: "A lot of people were praying, and I believe Sarah Palin is God's answer."

Tony Perkins, Family Research Council: "Senator McCain made an outstanding pick."

Connie Mackey, FRCAction: "I am elated with Senator McCain's choice."

Mat Staver, Liberty Counsel: "Absolutely brilliant choice."

Richard Land: "Governor Palin will delight the Republican base."

Rick Scarborough, Vision America, "I'm elated. I think it's a superb choice."

Ralph Reed: "They're beyond ecstatic. This is a home run."

Gary Bauer, American Values: "[A] grand slam home run."

Phyllis Schlafly, Eagle Forum: "She is the best possible choice."

Wendy Wright, Concerned Women for America: "Governor Palin will change the dynamics of the entire presidential race."

Janice Shaw Crouse, CWA's Beverly LaHaye Institute: "She is an outstanding woman who will be an excellent role model for the nation's young people."

David Barton, Wallbuilders: "The talk won't be about, 'look at Sarah Palin' as much as 'look at what McCain's choice of Palin says about McCain's core beliefs."

Jonathan Falwell: "John McCain made it very clear that his administration was going to be a pro-life administration, and he proved that's his belief and his passion today with the choice of Sarah Palin."

Jerry Falwell, Jr.: "I think it's a brilliant choice."

Charmaine Yoest, Americans United for Life: "And then when [Palin] was announced — it was like you couldn't breathe. [We] were grabbing each other and jumping up and down."

Gary Marx, Judicial Confirmation Network: "I can tell you that this pick tells millions in the base of the party that they can trust McCain. More specifically that they can trust him with Supreme Court picks and other key appointments."

David Keene, American Conservative Union: "The selection of Governor Palin is great news for conservatives, for the party and for the country. I predict any conservatives who have been lukewarm thus far in their support of the McCain candidacy will work their hearts out between now and November for the McCain-Palin ticket."

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People For the American Way joins Ohio and the rest of the nation mourning the untimely death of Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones. Among her extraordinary record of courage and leadership, we will remember Rep. Tubbs Jones especially for her steadfast commitment to protecting all Americans' right to vote. She was a courageous advocate for all Americans, especially the disenfranchised, as evidenced by her willingness to stand up for those whose votes had not been counted when problems surfaced after the 2004 presidential election.

The Census Bureau reported this week that in completing the 2010 Census, it will 'edit' the data from same-sex couples who accurately report that they are legally married, and that it will instead re-classify them as "unmarried partners," the same procedure used by the Bureau during the 2000 census, when no states yet recognized same-sex couples as legally married.