Gregory D. Lee

President Obama’s State of the Union address this week was more than a speech. It was a stern lecture for the Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court.

The president made it clear he was not pleased with the Court’s five to four decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission allowing corporations to make campaign contributions without restriction. He used the opportunity to chastise the Justices who were a captive audience in the Capitol building during the speech.

Not true.

On live television, the president said, “Last week, the Supreme Court reversed a century of law to open the floodgates for special interests, including foreign corporations, to spend without limit in our elections. Well, I don’t think American elections should be bankrolled by America’s most powerful interests, or worse, by foreign entities.”

As the president spoke, the camera was trained on the Justices’ stoic faces, and Justice Alito could be seen mouthing, “Not true!”

This marks the second time this president has been called a liar during a speech in the building. The first time, Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) blurted out, “You lie!” when the president said that illegal aliens would not be eligible for medical treatment in the Democrats healthcare reform bill. This is still up for debate since the final bill has not been crafted. However, Justice Alito arguably knows the Court’s decision in this case better than the president does. He, as well as the 535 members of congress, knew that when the president said foreign corporations can now bankroll American elections, it was not true. Yet, Democrats in the room gave the president a standing ovation for the biggest whopper of the night.

A few minutes later into the 70-minute speech, the president said, “Washington may think that saying anything about the other side, no matter how false, no matter how malicious, is just part of the game. But it’s precisely such politics that has stopped either party from helping the American people.” Television viewers had just witnessed what he was referring to a few minutes earlier when he scolded the Court and misrepresented its decision. He must have made Bill Clinton proud.

Since the president is a Harvard law school graduate and former Constitutional Law instructor, it’s reasonable to assume he knows that federal laws are in place to specifically prohibit foreign corporations from contributing money or material things to American campaigns. He should also know the Court did not overturn these laws. However, the president’s intent was to give this false impression, and that’s not very presidential.

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This is in line with other politicians who are unprincipled and loose with the truth. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) readily comes to mind. Right after 9/11, Sen. Schumer talked tough about Osama bin Laden and said if he was ever captured he would never be tried in New York City. Then, several years later, he welcomed the closing of GITMO and the trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammad there, saying the city could easily handle the security arrangements. Since Scott Brown’s election, where he campaigned against trying any terrorists on U.S. soil, Sen. Schumer has suddenly seen the light. Now he is against trying KSM in New York City, even if the federal government reimburses the city the $200 million a year it will cost for security. Sen. Schumer obviously will say or do anything to get reelected.

The president’s tone throughout the speech was rather sour. Maybe he feels the winds of change this November. Maybe he thinks the American people don’t like this hope and change he promised during his campaign. With the election of Scott Brown in the deep blue state of Massachusetts, he told the Republicans that they would now also be responsible for governing.

The president is not likely going to receive much bi-partisan support for his version of enhancing national security. In his speech he said he wants to work with Congress to repeal the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” law that prohibits homosexuals from openly serving in the military.

The president better hope that issue doesn’t come before the Supreme Court while he’s in office.

Gregory D. Lee is a syndicated columnist who you can reach through his website: www.gregorydlee.com. He also blogs at: www.gregorydlee.blogspot.com

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