January 12, 2006
Democrat impotence against intelligent SCOTUS candidates
One of the most refreshing things about Bush SCOTUS appointments is that finally we may be moving away from the stealth candidate. The stealth candidate approach has been too smart by half because it backfires way too often. Stealth candidates have given us some of the most liberal judges to date such as David Souter. How he could in good conscience even accept nomination knowing in his heart he was not what his supporters hoped shows a dishonesty that is profound. Granted you can never know exactly how a person will be on a court but isn't it better if you can see them in action demonstrating their convictions and adherence to the constitution.
Watching Alito testify, and Roberts before him, has also highlighted how petty and ignorant democrats on the judiciary committee are. It is now plain to see that anyone, and I mean anyone can be a senator. Seeing them pontificating for 25 minutes and questioning for 5 minutes fishing for that "gotcha moment" where the witness breaks down and confesses all his sins is hilarious. You keep thinking they expect Alito to blurt out that he is a racist or wants women doing their own abortions in back alleys with rusty coat hangers. Do they really think these candidates are that bad or that stupid?
The classic was Joe Biden who sometimes seems to speak English as a second language saying he hated Princeton (several times) after giving a speech at Princeton less the two years ago praising the university and wishing his kids had gone there.
It's an honor to be here. It would have even been a greater honor to have gone here. I have three children who have merifully have all finally completed undergraduate and graduate school, and I tried to get all three of them to apply here...I committed a serious mistake, Dean. I've learned now, any advice I give...when you become parents, whatever school you want your child to go to, don't mention it. And so I had been pushing Princeton, and this magnificently attractive, intellectually and physically, beautiful young girl, was a sophomore, was showing us around, and I figured we've got a lock now. My son is going to really be interested, and I know Senators aren't supposed to say things like that, but if he hadn't been interested, I would have been worried...Does this make Biden a sexist pig and homophobe? Can you tell someone is magnificently attractive intellectually by looking at them? When was the last time you heard someone say "Man, that gal has a nice pair of cerebral hemispheres on her." Also remember, Senator Lot lost his leadership position just for saying nice things to an old retiring college (much like Senator Byrd) who had a racist past. If not for the hearings I would have never learned this little gem of insight into Biden character.
Hopefully the lesson is learned. Send up a well qualified, intelligent candidate and you get a well qualified judge who will at least start as a known commodity. As a bonus you get to see democrats act the buffoons.
Posted by Sid at January 12, 2006 12:55 AM | Supreme Court
