But most importantly for me would be deference to both state governments and Congress as a general rule, as well as being fairly skeptical of presidential power, and perhaps even more so of delegated executive power (Cabinet departments and agencies etc.) - even though I personally support much of what the federal government does and indeed, believe it should do a lot more on many issues of economic regulation and social policy.
I do look quite favorably on congressional oversight of executive power and believe it should be expanded and given more teeth; I suppose that's one answer to what I call the "elected vs. effective" problem of governance in a large, complex democracy like the US.
Well, that's the thing that would get you into trouble — it's one thing to appoint a right or a left-wing judge, but one that might actually curtail the executive power of the president who appointed them? Unacceptable.
