Thursday, January 28, 2010

Justice Alito mouths 'not true' when Obama blasts Supreme Court ruling in State of the Union address

President Obama chided the Court's ruling in his State of the Union address -- a highly unusual move.

Members of the Supreme Court got a front row seat to President Obama's State of the Union address, and one justice used the opportunity to mouth off to the President.

"With all due deference to the separation of powers," Obama said, "last week, the Supreme Court reversed a century of law that I believe will open the floodgates for special interests - including foreign corporations - to spend without limit in our elections"

In response to this criticism of their recent ruling, Justice Samuel Alito shook his head and appeared to mouth "Not true."

As both sides of the chamber rose to their feet, the members of the Court in attendance - Justices Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas, and John Paul Stevens were absent - remained seated in silence, as is customary.

The Supreme Court tore up laws against corporate and union spending in federal elections in a 5-to-4 ruling. The decision is expected to help a GOP push to win back Congress.

The President's chiding of the Court's ruling is highly unusual.

Vice President Biden defended Obama's comments in an appearance on "Good Morning America" when asked if the remarks were proper.

"The President didn't question the integrity of the court. He questioned the judgment of it," the vice president said. "I think it (the ruling) was dead wrong and we have to correct it."

Justice Alito, a member of the Court's conservative bloc, was appointed by President George W. Bush.

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