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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

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

Comments

39 Responses to “Massachusetts Democrat Jim McGovern Says, ‘I Think the Constitution Is Wrong’”

  1. Merinas van der Lubbe
    October 14th, 2010 @ 2:00 am

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

  2. Debbie Munoz
    October 14th, 2010 @ 8:04 am

    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!!

  3. american
    October 14th, 2010 @ 10:33 am

    more time to thing up worst

  4. Tarp
    October 14th, 2010 @ 10:41 am

    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]

  5. don
    October 14th, 2010 @ 12:24 pm

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

  6. Lynklly8
    October 14th, 2010 @ 12:39 pm

    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.

  7. Wheresdarwin
    October 15th, 2010 @ 10:28 am

    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.

  8. Wheresdarwin
    October 15th, 2010 @ 10:36 am

    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?