This Could Backfire

Okay, so I don't really mind this Roberts guy. (This is going to be a quick post.) NARAL instantly came out against him, because he'd argued a case against Roe v. Wade, but they ignored another quotation (11 years more recent than the first) saying that nothing in his personal beliefs would cause him to overturn Roe. I mean, that sounds pretty solid to me.

And he's smart. I respect smart conservatives the way I respect Yankee fans who know their baseball. Don't get me wrong, I hate you and everything you stand for. But as an enemy, I can respect you. And Roberts deserves some respect. Harvard College, Harvard Law (editing the law review) and clerking for a Supreme Court justice. This guy knows what he's doing.

Most advocacy groups on the left like MoveOn have prepared for this fight for so long that it would almost be seen as a disservice to do anything but fight, which gives me a little pause. They know it's not such a big deal, but to appear (pardon the phrase) "true blue," they're going to try to battle a Supreme Court nominee who is probably the least of all possible evils.

I think we ought to give Bush his nominee and be dignified about it, just like he asked. Grill him a little on his political leanings and do some digging into his background, sure. But his record was as white as snow in 2003 when he was appointed to the federal bench. This guy is Mr. Clean. Don't make a fight out of something that doesn't require a fight.

Here's what the Bush White House didn't expect. If the Senate Democrats gracefully confirm his nomination with a minimum of mud-slinging, what does the media attention shift right back to?

Oh, that's right.

Senors Rove and Libby.

Exactly where it should be.

Holding My Breath

It's 8:05pm EST and I'm pacing around my apartment, alone and more than a little bit worried about what Bush is going to say on TV in 55 minutes. It doesn't seem like an impending disaster; so far, the two names that have both been floated, Edith Clement and John Roberts, haven't left enough of a political footprint that anyone is setting off alarm bells on either side of aisle.

I haven't usually advocated "wait-and-see" policies on this blog, which is probably a little irresponsible on my part, but I've never claimed to publish more than opinion on here. But it looks like we don't have much choice on this one. DailyKos mentioned that some of the nominees were essentially a blank slate, and it's tough to figure out which way they're going to swing.

Personally, I think Roberts would be worse news. From what I've read, his stand on abortion has been predictably negative, although Bush would be crazy to appoint someone who wasn't a commited pro-lifer.

This couldn't come at a better time, of course. The news cycle is squarely focused around Rove, and if Bush announces his nominee early, the heat comes off the White House and onto the Democratic opposition to his nominee. Doesn't matter if he nominates Hilary Clinton, Alberto Gonzalez or the man in the moon. Suddenly, the Rove issue takes a backseat to the Confirmation Hearings.

Slick move. Now let's just see who he picks.