Supreme Court Appointments May Drive Clinton Supporters to Obama BALTIMORE, MD (weaa) - Barack Obama can win over Clinton voters by emphasizing issues of particular importance to women, particularly Supreme Court appointments, according to political commentators Anthony McCarthy and Sherrilyn Ifill, speaking on WEAA's "The Marc Steiner Show".

"The key words Barack Obama has to say in the coming days are 'Supreme Court'," Ifill said.

"If he keeps talking about what this election will mean for the Supreme Court, that will energize even so-called fanatical voters about what a McCain presidency will mean to things they believe in in the decades to come," Ifill stated. Ifill is a professor of law at the University of Maryland School of Law.

The next president may have the opportunity to appoint up to three Supreme Court justices. New members of the court could affect the standing of landmark rulings, including on abortion.

McCarthy, former editor-in-chief of the Baltimore Afro-American Newspaper, said that speculation that female Clinton supporters will cast protest votes and support John McCain is an exaggeration.

"I think if you talk about voters, strong female Clinton voters are going to come back in large numbers to the Democratic column. Women are going to help elect Barack Obama," McCarthy said.

Americans are desperately looking for change, and Barack Obama is the most believable candidate for change, Ifill and McCarthy both said.

"Americans are looking for a strong, stark turn from President Bush, whose approval rating is less than 26%," McCarthy said.

"The Republican brand is in trouble. John McCain can save that brand by doing something differently. I think the odds are against him," McCarthy added.

McCarthy and Ifill also emphasized the importance of young voters and first-time voters in the election.

"There is a new generation of voters who are going to change Washington," McCarthy said. © Copyright 2009, weaa