Senator John McCain today called the Supreme Court decision protecting the right of habeas corpus for prisoners in Guantamo Bay “one of the worst decisions in the history of this country.”

People For the American Way President Kathryn Kolbert released the following statement:

“Senator McCain has gone out of his way to appease the far right-wing of his party on the subject of the Supreme Court, but his latest comment is either ill-considered pandering, a ridiculously flippant comment, or just plain out-of-touch. Any way you read it, there’s no good explanation.

“The Supreme Court’s decision to stand up and protect the right of habeas corpus is one of its proudest moments. It’s appalling that Senator McCain would compare it to a decision that blacks and whites should drink from separate water fountains. Or that hundreds of thousands of Japanese Americans should be imprisoned in internment camps. Or that African-Americans should not be counted as persons under the law.

“One is reminded of the old quote: ‘Better to keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.’”