The Other McCain

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Massachusetts Democrat Jim McGovern Says, ‘I Think the Constitution Is Wrong’

Posted on | October 13, 2010 | 39 Comments

BOSTON — Tonight in a debate at Shrewsbury High School, Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern shocked the audience when he declared, “I think the Constitution is wrong” (0:32):

Discussing campaign-finance regulation, and apparently referring to the U.S. Supreme Court’s January Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission ruling, McGovern said:

“We have a lousy Supreme Court decision that has opened the floodgates, and so we have to deal within the realm of constitutionality. And a lot of the campaign finance bills that we have passed have been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. I think the Constitution is  wrong. I don’t think that money is the same thing as human beings. I don’t think money equals free speech. I don’t think corporations should have the same equality as a regular voter in this district.”

In a subsequent question from the audience, Tina Hood of Worcester said “it blew my mind” when she heard McGovern say the Constitution is wrong. The Democratic congressman denied having said that and instead talked about the Constitution’s “general welfare” clause justifies social programs criticized by his Republican opponent, Marty Lamb.

UPDATE: Pete Da Tech Guy got video of my post-debate interview with Tina Hood.

UPDATE II: Marty Lamb talks about the debate:

UPDATE III: Press release from the Marty Lamb campaign:

Holliston, MA …Tonight, Marty Lamb, Republican candidate for Congress in Massachusetts Third District, was shocked at Congressman James McGovern’s words and his attitude toward the U.S. Constitution.
During the debate Congressman McGovern stated, “the Constitution is wrong,” when questioned about campaign finance. Congressman McGovern does not seem to believe in the First Amendment—the freedom of speech.
“I am deeply troubled by the Congressman’s statement. I don’t think that Jim McGovern is smarter than our forefathers. I support the first amendment. In fact, I support all the amendments,” said Lamb. “The first action a Congressman takes is an oath is to uphold the Constitution. This oath should not be taken lightly.”
Lamb also criticized Congressman McGovern’s desire for campaign finance reform which includes public financing. “He wants to take your tax dollars during a recession to buy lawn signs for politicians. That’s crazy” said Lamb. “This is coming from an incumbent who took over $300,000 from lawyers, lobbyists, and health and insurance pacs and officials. Hypocrisy at its finest.”

UPDATE IV: A friend on Twitter scoffed at the possibility of Marty Lamb winning the 3rd District. Scott Brown won it with 58%, so please tell me again why McGovern can’t be beat. Martha Coakley ran a lousy campaign, but even she was never so abysmally stupid as to say the Constitution is wrong. This is Grijalva-level stupid.

UPDATE V: Linked by Jane Jamison at Uncoverage and Dave C. at The Point of a Gun. Meanwhile, 3rd District voter Da Tech Guy strives to be fair and balanced, but Jehuda the Rhetorican is glad that at last an honest Democrat has been found in Massachachusetts.

UPDATE VI: The video is now featured at Real Clear Politics and Free Republic.

UPDATE VII: Linked at Fox Nation.

MARTY LAMB for U.S. CONGRESS

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Category: Congress, Election, Marty Lamb, Massachusetts, Video

Comments

  • jefferson101

    Leftists. Can’t live with them, and shooting them looks bad on your resume.

    I guess that voting them out is the only humane course of action.

  • http://twitter.com/pelletman pelletman

    He also told us we should have 5 year plans.. Wonder where he got that idea!?

  • http://912member.blogspot.com just a conservative girl

    umm, they made it possible to change it if the need arises. If he truly believes that than suggest a constitutional admendment. Oh, yeah that wouldn’t work, because they couldn’t put in writing for the world to see that the unions would be excluded.

  • Anonymous

    I think Jim McGovern is wrong.

  • http://pointofagun.blogspot.com/ Dave C

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  • Merinas van der Lubbe

    If you just add what he left unspoken, “… and should be ignored”, you’ve got the Left’s political philosophy in a nutshell.

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  • http://www.americaerestu.com Debbie Munoz

    McGovern’s statements don’t surpise me at all. What can we expect from a Congressman who has been exposed for having connections to Castro and Chavez? The photos of McGovern looking cozy with Piedad Cordoba and Castro are all over the internet and ae particularly known to freedom-loving Hispanics who have a disdain for his brand of Socialism. For those who don’t know, Piedad Cordoba is a recently de-seated Senator in Colombia who conspired with Chavez to help the FARC terrorists against her own country. McGovern has Communist and Socialist friends in the lowest of places. Photos shown during this broadcast o “America Ers T”–Socialists in Washington: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/9951999
    MA and the USA needs Marty Lamb!!

  • Anonymous

    “…and should be ignored if inconvenient”

    FTFY

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  • american

    more time to thing up worst

  • Tarp

    this mcgovern is just another wacky progressive liberal socialist along with schakowsky from [ill] who says the constitution is just stuff don;t to worry about, this the progressive liberal socialist that have hi-jacked the democratic party,with this anti- constitution rants,dingell of mich feels the same way, this the loony left’s political progressive philosophy that we have in the white house [now]

  • http://www.williamamanning.com William A Manning

    We need leaders, not rulers

  • don

    Democrats now coming out and saying our Constitution is WRONG!!

  • Lynklly8

    Democrats don’t even have the smarts to lie anymore. Either that, or they have developed an arrogance greater than all the history of arrogance.

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  • Anonymous

    This jackass couldn’t lead Elliot Spitzer to a whorehouse.

  • http://www.williamamanning.com William A Manning

    The echo of Pelosi “Are you serious?”

  • http://www.williamamanning.com William A Manning

    even if he had an American Express black card?

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  • MAII

    Get this guy out of office, support Marty Lamb http://www.MartyForCongress.com.

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  • http://twitter.com/Petorious508 Peter Erickson

    first off i am surprised that all you conservative minded people even know how to use a computer (after all computers were invented after 1777). McGovern disagrees with the supreme court decision that allows big business to pump millions into candidates who will fight for the company’s interest which always run contrary to the interest of the American people. so all in all yes that part of the Constitution is wrong. man i am just glad the constitution is a living breathing entity that can be changed and can adapt to the times will live in.

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  • kate

    I believe it was a slip of the tongue. I believe what McGovern meant to say was: I think the Supreme Court is wrong. His point was not that he disagrees with the Constitution but that he disagrees with the SC’s interpretation of the Constitution. Which is totally valid–Citizens United is a terrible decision. McGovern’s view is actually more true to the wording of the Constitution. The Fourteenth Amendment guarantees equal protection to “persons.” Are corporations “persons?” Maybe if you’re a conservative on the Supreme Court you think so, but McGovern doesn’t and I think he’s right.

  • Wheresdarwin

    Peter Erickson – YOU SHOULD ASK FOR A REFUND ON YOUR EDUCATION.
    The US Constitution does not put any limitations on Citizens or Corporations. It places limitation upon the GOVERNMENT. It specifically enumerates what the GOVERNMENT cannot do to US. In its truest for the Govt. has NO RIGHTS – They have power given to them by US. So you assumptions are FALSE – McGovern belongs in Jail for usurping his power and you need reeducation. If the Constitution was a living document – Govt should be limited MORE.

  • Wheresdarwin

    BTW – Not only does the Constitution limit Govt, the only way to change the Constitution is through a Convention or in some cases “an act of God”. So basically a man-king simpleton like yourself cannot wish it changed because you don’t agree with it. Technically you are in violation of the law!
    Thank goodness these white old men, before computers, were far wiser than your liberal idols and self professed intellectuals. Can you say Target?

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_IRU5GYST5RFVMIWWDFXLM4VYQY francis koudelka

    No Peter, McGovern is against any group that is not beholden to the Democrats. He has no issue with the teachers union dumping millions into his coffers, who by the way are destroying our schools. Check out “Waiting for Superman”, and you can see how great they’ve been in developing the next generation of Americans! Hacks like McGovern and his supporters like you pick and choose based on what’s good for your agenda. It’s no different then the California chapter of the National Organization for Women has no issue with Moonbat Jerry Brown’s campaign calling Meg Whitman a “whore”. If it was a conservative calling a liberal woman a whore, they would be marching in the streets and calling for boycotts. Selective outrage, Peter.

  • Dave

    Are you people really too stupid to read the rest of his statement and understand that he really misspeak? Or are you simply to dishonest to admit that you know what he meant to say?

  • http://theothermccain.com smitty

    You could also take it as a classic gaffe: he spoke the truth about his opinion.
    Does the voting record reflect contempt for the Constitution?

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  • http://www.americaerestu.com Debbie Munoz

    Actions speak even louder than words. Jim McGovern consorts with Chavez and Castro. Whatever you hope he “meant to say” makes no difference to people who are well aware of what this man has conspired to do internationally.

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