by James Oliphant
In the late 1980s, Joe Biden and Robert Bork were once thought of in the same breath. Much like Crockett and Tubbs, Cagney and Lacey, and Cosby and sweaters.
Biden was the Senate Judiciary Committee chair who helped mobilize the fight against Bork, then President Reagan’s choice to add a conservative voice to the Supreme Court. Twenty years later, it remains probably Biden’s best-known achievement. And Bork has never forgotten.
Biden is running for president. No surprise that Bork isn’t backing him. This weekend, Bork announced he is supporting the presidential bid of Mitt Romney, saying in a statement:
"'No other candidate will do more to advance the conservative judicial movement than Gov. Mitt Romney,” the former federal appeals judge said in a statement released Saturday. “He knows firsthand how the judicial branch can profoundly affect the future course of a state and a nation.” And Bork specifically addressed Romney’s opposition to same-sex marriage, saying, “His leadership on the issue has served as a model to the nation on how to respect all of our citizens while respecting the rule of law at the same time.”
Romney has attracted scores of well-known conservative legal scholars to his campaign, chiefly for his stance on social issues like gay marriage and abortion.
But Biden being Biden, he couldn’t let Bork’s endorsement pass without comment. “In my view, [Bork’s] endorsement of Gov. Romney is not something to tout; it’s a damning portent of the judicial philosophy Romney would promote as president,” Biden said today. “The last thing we need after eight years of the Bush administration’s policies of eavesdropping on Americans, extra-legal renditions, and refusal to define waterboarding as torture, is another eight years of recklessness with our constitutional rights.
But shouldn’t Biden should be thanking Bork? Without Bork’s emergence this weekend, Biden wouldn’t have had the chance to restate his qualifications as a defender of civil liberties. And with Iowa heading into the home stretch, Biden's flagging campaign needs all the help he can get. Even from Robert Bork.
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Comments
yet another reason biden should be president. talk about forward thinking.......
Posted by: Kevin | December 18, 2007 1:50 PM
On what basis does Mr. Oliphant based his comment on Biden's "Flagging campaign." From what I hear, Biden may be near the middle and not the top, but his number's are improving. The leader, Mrs. Clinton, is the one who needs to worry about flagging numbers.
Posted by: chris Larsen | December 18, 2007 1:56 PM
Excellent statement by Biden - and as usual, he's spot-on. Biden doesn't need an opportunity to tout his civil rights record; those of us who have been watching and benefitting from his work are well aware that he's fighting the good fight for us.
Posted by: MEG | December 18, 2007 2:18 PM
I for one am glad Robert Bork came out and made his endorsement. Makes Mitt look bad and Biden look right.
Posted by: Lori | December 18, 2007 3:48 PM
Biden is the best qualified and the Statesman in the field. His superior experience on Judiciary and Foreign Affairs make him a standout. He was dead righ on Bork the first time.
Posted by: S. Canning | December 18, 2007 4:01 PM
This country does not need another 8 years of divisive government! The woman's vote can surely go to her strongest ally....JOE BIDEN. Bork's confirmation hearing is a reminder of his support and strength for women.
Posted by: leslie | December 18, 2007 4:32 PM
I am an Iowan who has seen Biden remind us of Bork in his visits...at least two occasions and prior to Bork's endorsement. By the way...his campaign is moving up, the Des Moines Register Endorsement of Clinton has been taken badly by alot of Democrats here, but has made all of us rethink what experience means.
Posted by: Tom Rial | December 18, 2007 4:35 PM
Wow, yet another kiss of death for Mitt Romney's campaign. When will they ever cease?
Posted by: John W. | December 18, 2007 6:17 PM
“His leadership on the issue has served as a model to the nation on how to respect all of our citizens while respecting the rule of law at the same time.”
- Bork
This is exactly why Bork would not have made a good justice. He fails to realize that the law will not always respect all of our citizens. It's happened time and again because the law is made by men (and now women) who are in a time warp. Until we can start to think BEYOND our own reference (and that will never happen) the law will always be imperfect.
Posted by: Bud McFarlin | December 18, 2007 11:26 PM
it was Biden over Bork once. It will be Biden over Bork again.
Posted by: Like It Is | December 19, 2007 2:25 AM
Senator Biden is moving up fast! People who want hear the truth are going to have their say!
Posted by: kittymoonbeam | December 19, 2007 11:50 AM
On January 3rd it will officially be Biden 2 : Bork 0
Posted by: Joe, Cedar Rapids | December 19, 2007 3:19 PM
I guess you've missed the news. Senator Biden's campaign is FAR from flagging!
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gPmd2pPkhfgQulnxeMnO12wl163wD8TM118G0
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2007/12/oopsareminder.html
Posted by: EllenG | December 22, 2007 6:31 AM
Let's make a New Year's Resolution for America, because That's a Promise to Keep!
Visit: www.Dough4Joe.com
Posted by: John, Des Moines | December 24, 2007 1:17 AM