Liberals Trying to Intimidate Chief Justice

The Wall Street Journal's editorial page thinks liberals are trying to "intimidate" the Supreme Court's justices, especially Chief Justice John Roberts, as the ruling on ObamaCare draws near. Those who support the law, including the "elite liberal press," have made clear they will try to ruin Roberts' legacy by depicting him as a judicial "activist" if he and his court overturn it.

The charge is nonsense, says the editorial. For one thing, it's not judicial activism to overturn congressional law. It's activism to overturn "Constitutional principle," and Roberts would actually be doing the opposite by killing President Obama's federal mandate. It's doubtful the left's smear campaign will affect Roberts or any of the justices, adds the editorial. "The Court's reputation will be tarnished if it bows to the political distemper of the moment, not if it follows the Constitution." Click for the full op-ed. (More John Roberts stories.)