On the recordFebruary 2, 2010
For 100 years, since the days of Teddy Roosevelt, we have agreed to keep major businesses, big corporations out of our American political scene. They get involved, make no mistake. We saw that on health care reform. The major forces for and against it in the private sector bought ads. But when it comes to candidates, actual people running for Federal office, we have said: No corporate contributions to these candidates; individuals, yes, who work for the corporations, but not the corporations themselves that have millions of dollars they can funnel into campaigns. That was the law for 100 years. Then the Supreme Court took up this case and, as a result, it is all going to change. When I saw the final decision, I noticed that Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito had joined with Justice Kennedy and Justice Thomas and Justice Scalia for the five-vote majority on the Court. I couldn't help but remember not that long ago when Chief Justice Roberts appeared before the Judiciary Committee. I was there. He was asked: What is your role on the Supreme Court going to be as Chief Justice? He said: I am just there to call the balls and strikes. That is it. I am not there to make up the rules of the game.
