POTUS knocking SCOTUS

[cowboy]

How common is it for a president to criticize Supreme Court rulings? Was last night a breach of protocol, or was it something that every president does, or (more likely) something in between?

Legislative and Executive branches take jabs at each other all the time, but I don't recall a sitting president knocking the SCOTUS before, especially in the SOTU address.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

How common is it for a president to criticize Supreme Court rulings? Was last night a breach of protocol, or was it something that every president does, or (more likely) something in between?

Legislative and Executive branches take jabs at each other all the time, but I don't recall a sitting president knocking the SCOTUS before, especially in the SOTU address.

The only precedent I can think of is when FDR threatened to pack the court when they kept on ruling that some of his New Deal programs were unconstitutional because of the Commerce Clause. FDR's threat is cited as a big reason why the GOP made some significant gains in the midterm election when the controversy was going on.

What's not mentioned is that FDR's threat probably worked. After he made the threat, the Supreme Court shifted its stance on the Commerce Clause pretty significantly.

[Pheidippides]

How common is it for a president to criticize Supreme Court rulings? Was last night a breach of protocol, or was it something that every president does, or (more likely) something in between?

Legislative and Executive branches take jabs at each other all the time, but I don't recall a sitting president knocking the SCOTUS before, especially in the SOTU address.

One thing to note is that Obama was a Con Law professor. So he's not completely out of his field. I think it was a pretty bad breach of protocol, though.

[creekster]

my guess is some POTUS has complained about Roe v Wade?

[Clark Addison]

I don't particularly like to see him whining about the Supremes in the SOTU.

[happyone]

I don't ever remember a president specifically taking a shot at the SCOTUS during the State of the Union, esp a recent decision.

During the normal day to day politics, I seem to remember that they have expressed disappoinment in some of there decisions although I couldn't link to anything specific right now.

[byu71]

I think it is OK for them to express displeasure, but I don't know if a State of the Union with the cheering and clapping atmosphere is the right place. I would like to think discussion dealing with Court Decisions are more dignified than at a pep rally.

However, what really bugs me are the progressive pundits who are appalled that one of the Judges mouthed disagreement. Is the State of the Union a place where the President is allowed to act like he loves bi-partisanship and then rip on anyone he disagrees with??

[beefytee]

my guess is some POTUS has complained about Roe v Wade?

I assume we're talking about a sitting President being critical of a sitting court's decision.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roe_v._Wade#Presidential_positions

[UtahDan]

I find nothing wrong with what he said, other than the setting he said it in. Almost any other would be okay. But with the Justices sitting there, it is poor form.

EDIT: What I mean is I don't mind him saying it. I think he is wrong on the merits.

[creekster]

I assume we're talking about a sitting President being critical of a sitting court's decision.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roe_v._...tial_positions

fair enough, which is a refinement of this orioginal quesiton:

How common is it for a president to criticize Supreme Court rulings?

[thesaint258]

I don't have a problem with him disagreeing, but I don't think the State of the Union is the best forum. He should've discussed it in one of his many interviews, or the Press Secrtary should've addressed it in his briefing. I think either of those would have been more appropriate.

[wuapinmon]

I am enjoying this delicious ironies in my conservative friends on facebook ripping on the President for ripping on the justices of SCOTUS, like suddenly they're champions of the Court that they <redacted> on every time they talk about politics.

[cowboy]

I am enjoying this delicious ironies in my conservative friends on facebook ripping on the President for ripping on the justices of SCOTUS, like suddenly they're champions of the Court that they <redacted> on every time they talk about politics.

Are you saying there is no difference between normal citizens harshly criticizing the justices in fora that are seen by relatively few and a president, knowing he will be met with a standing ovation, criticizing them when they are sitting right in front of him on national television?

[byu71]

I am enjoying this delicious ironies in my conservative friends on facebook ripping on the President for ripping on the justices of SCOTUS, like suddenly they're champions of the Court that they <redacted> on every time they talk about politics.

How to you feel about the Justice who mouthed back something like "you're wrong."

[wuapinmon]

I think that the entire thing would be even more disrespectful, like it was for decades, if the TV cameras weren't there capturing everything live.

We've got some funny ideas about propriety. Watch the British Parliament sometime.

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