Michael Kinsley asks, "What is a Conservative Judge?"
It's really very simple: A judge whose rulings advance your political wishlist is a Strict Constructionalist who's just interpreting the Constitution and other laws as written. A judge whose rulings go against your political wishlist is an Activist Judge who's legislating from the bench. That's how it always goes. You never hear anyone say, "Gee, I wish the law didn't say that and I will work to change that law…but that judge is just interpreting what the law says."