Gingrich Wants to Abolish Left-Leaning Courts. Has Newt Lost It?

posted 12-20-2011 by Chris Martucci

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Over this past weekend, Republican Presidential Candidate Newt Gingrich criticized the judicial system and suggested that as President, he could ignore certain Supreme Court decisions and abolish left-leaning courts. Furthermore, Gingrich said that Congress should bring judges before lawmakers to "explain" their decisions.

"The courts have become grotesquely dictatorial, far too powerful, and I think frankly arrogant in their misreading of the American people," Newt explains. "I would, just like Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln, and FDR, I would be prepared to take on the Judiciary if it did not restrict itself in what it was doing."

And my favorite part: "I would suggest to you, actually, as a historian I may understand this better than lawyers." Well, as a historian, Gingrich seems to overlook just how criticized Jackson and FDR are among historical analysts.

Republican Candidate Mitt Romney says that Gingrich's plans are neither practical nor Constitutional and that the Constitution should be followed if the President wishes to remove judges or reverse judicial decisions. So I ask, is Gingrich out of his mind? Does he ignore the separation of powers? Is he just hungry for power? Would he suggest the same things regarding a conservative court decision? Has Newt lost it, or what?