From CNS News:
Virginia's attorney general said Tuesday that some of his fellow state attorneys general are an “extension of activist judges” and have been pursuing actions for political gain.
“The role of government is fairly limited to its enumerated powers, and that's what the government — the executive branch in particular — is supposed to do,” said Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell, a Republican.
“I don't think activism on the right or left is appropriate because the rule of law requires that you discharge your duties in accordance with the statutes and the constitution,” McDonnell added…
…”They create whatever theories of liability that might be at all plausible in order to achieve some sort of desired social impetus for redistribution of wealth, or additional levels of corporate responsibility, or whatever else they think would be appropriate,” he (McDonnell) said…
…John Suthers, the attorney general from Colorado, said more recent suits include California suing the auto industry — claiming that cars are a “public nuisance” — and several states moving to sue social networking sites for attracting child predators.
“Those cases tend to go forward because the absence of a credible legal theory has thus far not been much of a barrier to state AGs who readily bring such cases,” Suthers said.
“When threatened by a suit by multiple AGs, most publicly held companies conclude they can't afford the fight. For many AGs, such activism has become very good politics,” he said…
J.B. Van Hollen, Wisconsin's attorney general, argued that elections spur more activism.
“AG races have become more high-profile,” he noted.
Because the job is “not flashy,” for many AGs who are aspiring governors, activism is politically beneficial because it draws attention to the office…