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By Alexham Posted in Federalist Society | Law — Comments (2) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

O.k., sportsfans, I am here at Union Station for the big Federalist Society black-tie gala. I received my White House Press Pool pass (very cool btw), made it through security, and I am now sitting up high on the press platform waiting to live blog President Bush's speech to RedState's faithful readers (and hoping that the expensive dinner that I paid for will some how find its way up to me). Oh sure, I could be down on the main floor where the action is, networking and glad-handing, discussing all sorts of nerdy constitutional issues, but I am your humble servant and I aim to please.

So stay tuned. I will hopefully have something interesting to report.

(Live blogging below the fold)

O.k., President Bush just entered and he is receiving a standing ovation, and grinning from ear to ear.

It is difficult to hear him, but he just cracked a joke about billable hours. He is talking about the impact the Federalist Society has had on the jurisprudential landscape. He shares our view re: the original meaning of the Constitution, and that the Constitution "means what it says." He also stated that there are several judicial vacancies that will soon be filled. He is now giving props to Scalia, Thomas, Alito, Roberts, and others.

The president is now discussing the importance of the separation-of-powers doctrine, and how it helps preserve the liberties we cherish. He is criticizing judicial activism--judges who make law, rather than interpret it. He is also criticizing the politicization of the judicial-nomination process.

"I strongly believe our freedoms depend on the willingness of judges to be bound by the original meaning of the Constitution." (paraphrase)

He is now endorsing Chief Justice Roberts's comparison of judging to being an umpire.

"Judges have to resist the temptation of politics, or seeking favorable treatment in the media."

President Bush is expressing how proud he is of the many originalist judges he has appointed to the circuit courts: Brown, Owen, Pryor, Southwick, etc.

He is now slamming the dems for failing to give his nominees due consideration (i.e., up-or-down votes), and "dragging them through the mud." He believes that this unfair treatment is causing many "good men and women" to avoid serving the public as federal judges. The process, in his view, "has become ugly." Specifically, he points out to the horrible treatment received by Justice Clarence Thomas during his confirmation process.

"Stay true to your principles, and to the wisdom contained in our founding documents."

Thunderous applause. President Bush is still very popular with the feddies (Harriet Miers notwithstanding).