The Atlanta Constitution from Atlanta, Georgia • B2

Filename: B2-NEWS-AJCD0629-BUDOG created: Jun 28 2008 Username: SPEED4 Sunday, Jun 29, 2008 NEWS 2 AJCD 2 Cyan Magenta Yellow Black B2 Sunday, June 29, 2008 5 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution ajc.com 2 Cyan Magenta Yellow Black AJCD File name: B2-NEWS-AJCD0629-BUDOG created: Jun 28 2008 Username: SPEED4 ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE Countdown 2008 long-term impacts on the country. are two different divisions leading in a very different said Richard Garnett, a constitutional law professor at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. Given the number of 5- to-4 decisions in controversial cases, he said, lot of those cases would come out differently if you had to swap out a conservative justice for a liberal Not always eye to eye Almost as soon as the high court capped its term Thursday with a ruling that a ban on handguns in crime-plagued Washington was unconstitutional, Obama and McCain both issued statements reacting to the decision on the politically explosive issue. McCain wholeheartedly agreed with what he called landmark victory for Second Amendment and accused Obama of backing away from support for a handgun ban. Obama sought a middle ground, declaring that he backs gun ownership but also believes local governments should have the right to control who has them and recognizes the for crime-ravaged communities to save their children from the violence that plagues our streets through commonsense, effective safety Both candidates disagreed with the high 5-to-4 decision on Wednesday outlawing the death penalty for child rapists.

Obama, however, strongly supported the 5-to-4 ruling this month upholding the rights of detainees in the Guantanamo Bay terrorist facility to appeal in U.S. courts, while McCain blasted it as of the worst decisions in the history of this Though both Obama and McCain would have equal opportunities as president to vacancies on the court, several legal analysts say McCain could have more to swing the court if he wins in November. The four-member liberal bloc has two of the oldest justices John Paul Stevens, 88, and Ruth Bader Ginsberg, 75 who are considered more likely to retire from the bench during the next term. Meanwhile, Antonin Scalia, 72, is the only member of the conservative bloc who is older than 60, and the other three members Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, and Roberts are all 60 or younger, considered youthful for a justice serving a lifetime appointment. That seems to indicate that the conservative wing will be in place for many years, while the liberal wing is more likely to have a vacancy during the next presidential administration, said Robert Gordon, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, a liberal-leaning think tank.

If McCain gets the opportunity to replace a liberal justice, adding another conservative justice make for an even more dramatic in the direction. Notre Garnett said that if Obama were to become president, likely a vacancy on the liberal bloc with another liberal. think we see any major in the direction, he said. Though it seems less likely, if Obama had the chance to replace one of the conservative justices probably would see a different in some of the controversial, 5-to-4 decisions, Garnett said. in the On the campaign trail, Obama, a former law lecturer, has suggested that McCain would appoint strictly conservative justices who would likely overturn the Roe v.

Wade decision legalizing abortion. groups trying to persuade Hillary supporters to support Obama are also issuing that warning. McCain has scolded Obama for favoring who make law instead of interpreting laws passed by Congress. In the Senate, McCain voted to con both Roberts and Alito, whom Bush also appointed. Obama opposed both.

Nevertheless, liberals and conservatives seeking votes and trying to raise money incentives to overstate those between potential appointments by Obama and McCain, Garnett said. Voters and political analysts, he said, need to remember most of the Supreme rulings sexy, 5-4 but involve more boring, workaday issues that only other attorneys can appreciate. And no matter who becomes president, will be a great deal of stability in the Garnett said. Most justices, liberal and conservative, are and dedicated to upholding the law, and dangerous to overstate the potential for A Rasmussen Reports opinion poll this month, however, indicates that 60 percent of the public believes the justices have their own political agendas, and just 23 percent believes that the high court decides cases impartially. Just one-third of those polled said the Supreme Court is doing a good job.

Still, have a measure of judicial stability that a lot of countries really Garnett said. Justices: Court balance may change with election Continued from B1 SUPREME COUR agreed in 07-08 term -1 ,1 -1 ,0 )1 .) .0 -1 .0 J. Roberts J. Stevens A. Scalia A.

Kenned Souter TAKING SIDES IN THE SUPREME COUR Percentage of time justices agreed in nonunanimous 2007-08 term -1 ,1 -1 ,0 )1 .) .0 -1 .0 -1 R. Ginsburg S. Alito J. Roberts J. Stevens A.

Scalia A. Kenned D. Souter C. Thomas S. Brey er FI Actor tries for new role U.S.

senator By BRUCE SCHREINER Associated Press Louisville, Ky. Sonny Landham carved out a tough-guy reputation in a series of big-screen roles, from roughing up Sylvester Stallone to getting tossed out a window by Carl Weathers. He pulls no punches in his newest role: Libertarian challenger to a man known for political toughness, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Now 67 and living in northeastern Kentucky, the Georgia native who played Billy Bear in and was killed by an alien in admits his action-movie days are behind him. think having wild action when I take two aspirin with my hot chocolate at he said.

The actor, who was born in Canton and attended Oglethorpe University, is known for his powerful physique, booming voice and his American Indian heritage. He says serious about his longshot bid. Landham refers to McConnell, a four-term Republican, as after the corrupt politician from Dukes of TV show. He bluntly called Democratic candidate and millionaire businessman Bruce Lunsford an Even President Bush is a target: took us into a war on Landham said, claiming the actual intent was put back into To qualify for the November ballot, Landham must collect at least 5,000 valid petition signatures by Aug. 12.

The bid includes some campaign baggage that seems scripted for Hollywood: Early in his acting career in the 1970s, Landham bared it all in adult Asked whether that could hurt him politically, Landham replied, can I do? That was a part of my life you cannot call But he does have regrets. I was going to do it now knowing that going to have four children, knowing that I was going to run for no, I make that he said. at the time I made the choice of getting a paycheck, staying alive for your big Landham also served more than two and a half years in federal prison after being convicted of making threatening phone calls to his ex-wife. The conviction was thrown out by a federal appeals court. Libertarians, with their and let philosophy, look past his history.

look at the character of the man today, not what he did 30 years state Libertarian Party Chairman Ken Moellman said. He said Landham lives better today, residing in Ashland, with his wife and three of his children. The cast of featured two future state governors: Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jesse Ventura. But the prospects of winning seem far more remote for Landham. Northern Kentucky University political scientist Michael Baranowski predicted minimal impact on the Senate race.

not sure which is more of a hurdle for Landham, being a former porn actor or being a Libertarian Party he said. if the race between McConnell and Lunsford is tight enough, the votes Landham pulls from McConnell might be Sonny Landham is the Libertarian candidate for U.S. Sen. Mitch seat. NEWS QUOTABLE who tells you that this will bring down our gas prices immediately or anytime soon, is blowing ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER on offshore drilling.

A spokesman later denied the California governor was referring to John McCain. IN-KIND DONATIONS After Barack Obama and wife Michelle each donated the maximum $2,300 to Hillary campaign last week, Clinton and husband Bill did the same for them. THE REAL CONTEST Barack Obama 242 John McCain 107 The National Journal estimate of where the race for electoral votes stands, based on an analysis of voter polls and previous election results. GEORGIA BATTLEGROUND Following Barack decision to run campaign ads in Georgia, John campaign has announced he will run a cable TV ad here on his plan for American energy independence. KEEPING IT HOLY John McCain meets today in Asheville, N.C., with evangelist Franklin Graham..