Nomination Has Democrats in a Pickle

Los Angeles Times ^ | July 21, 2005 | Maura Reynolds

[Cincinatus' Wife]

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats, after months of preparing for a full-scale fight with President Bush over a Supreme Court nominee, found themselves Wednesday instead weighing whether or how to battle his choice of John G. Roberts Jr.

The problem Democrats face is that Roberts, a well-known Washington lawyer before becoming a federal appellate court judge in 2003, appears to be more conservative than they would like but less ideological than they had feared.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) set the tone the day after Bush selected Roberts, taking pains to describe the nominee as an accomplished lawyer and a "very nice man," but withholding judgment on whether he deserved to serve as one of the country's nine most powerful judges.

"Ever since Justice [Sandra Day] O'Connor announced her retirement [July 1], I have called on the president to choose a nominee who can unite the country, not divide it," Reid said. "It remains to be seen whether John Roberts fits that description. I hope that he does, and I look forward to giving him the opportunity to make his case to the American people."

Several Democrats complained that Roberts had served as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit for only two years, and therefore had a limited judicial record. As a result, they were considering requesting copies of material he wrote when he served as deputy solicitor general in the Justice Department under President George H.W. Bush.

...."That's what's called hitting below the belt, because they know that no self-respecting administration would give away confidential materials," Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) said. "I hope they won't play the same cheap old tricks on this."

[Cincinatus' Wife]

He must need a very large robe.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

But.. I think, this generation ( of the informed Americans , and not the sheeple of the public ) are more sophisticated and well informed now than ever, and we can see right through their BS ( I like what that woman on RUSH said today, her name was Sandy, she said " we are getting very tired of the democrats/liberals CRAP " .

[airborne]

Hillary is busy playing "Grand Theft Auto" with her girlfriend.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Still chess v checkers. This was the pick that was supposed to "split the Republican Party", but it is the Dems who are reeling.

[lugsoul]

I believe that the anticipated bloody fight is not going to occur.

For a change, the Dims may do something smart.

[mewzilla]

She's afraid to surface.

Yup, real profile in courage, isn't she? Real CinC material there, all right. HA!

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Yup.. she knows that there are RUSHES, HANNITYS, FREEPERS that will call her on her BS, and she knows it, and won't let her get away with what she could get away with in the passed, so she has to keep a low profile on certain issues as to not to appearer to offend the Christian right, because she is trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the Christian right.

[mewzilla]

For a change, the Dims may do something smart.

Well, expedient anyway.

[ajolympian2004]

Still chess v checkers. This was the pick that was supposed to "split the Republican Party", but it is the Dems who are reeling.

I wouldn't even give the democrats that much credit comparing their strategy to checkers. It's more like tic-tac-toe. ;)

[mystery-ak]

Maybe they are saving their ammo for the CJ or we are closer than we know that another Supreme is about to retire..

[kalee]

Never count your Hatches before they chicken.


Thanks for the laugh. I needed a good one to start the day, lol

[Prophet in the wilderness]

yea... for them to do something smart, is to shut up.
But, we want them to keep saying things that will help us win elections.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I heard that exchange. Pure exasperation!!

The LIBERAL/Democratic Party screeching, obstructing and out and out lying to the American people has started paying dividends to the right.

[EQAndyBuzz]

"All you have to do is read some of the postings at the wacko leftist blogger DailyKos and the responses to understand the dilemma for the democratic party. The liberal leftist wacko Dean / Boxer / Kennedy / Schumer / MoveOn.org / Michael Moore / Hillary CLinton blame America wing of their party all want to oppose Judge Roberts no matter what. The 'moderate' democrats in 'red' states up for re-election next year know their political future is on the line when it comes to deciding on whether to participate in being an obstructionist like Daschle. It's going to be fun to watch!"

I have come to the conclusion that the people you mentioned aren't even ideologues. They found a way to extract money from idiots and are exploiting it to the max.

They are no different than cults that have their followers give up all their worldy possessions to be enlightened by their psychobabble. Each one of these RATS will walk away with millions of dollars and give their constituents nothing, all the while telling them that they are getting freedom, which they already have.

It boggles the mind.

[mewzilla]

Maybe they are saving their ammo for the CJ or we are closer than we know that another Supreme is about to retire..

FWIW, if Hillie is the leaker, I think this is less about the SCOTUS and Dem party than it is about Hillie's prez prospects. She's already proven she'll screw the party to get elected. And the party has proven that they'll take it. Gutless wonders all around.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

The Democratic Party just won't listen to Rush.

So.......

.....without a paddle.

[Timeout]

I bet they try a Bolton and rathar than criticize Roberts directly, they'll demand documents that are naturally presidential privilage.

Looks like the Rats are, indeed, in a pickle. They can appeal to their moonbat base or they can try to appeal to mainstream America...they can't do both.

BUT...the GOP would do itself a tremendous service if they use this opportunity to thoroughly educate the public on WHY executive branch documents are not turned over to the legislative branch. One of these days, Republicans are going to have to wake up and admit that our schools have dangerously weakened each successive generation's knowledge of our constitutional republic.

One of my favorite discourses on the Supreme Court was when some liberal said, "But they're supposed to represent ALL the American people". Uh, no. That would be the Congress and the president. The court doesn't represent anyone, their role is simply to apply the law.

This could be an important teaching moment. If used wisely, the GOP could aid not only this nomination, but future SCOTUS nominations as well.

[Sir Francis Dashwood]

They are no different than cults...

You noticed that too. The left is nothing more than a collection of cults...

[Common Tator]

I think the Dems know they'll look like what they are, unreasonable obstructionists, if they fight this nomination.

Political parties always go with things that they believe will get them elected. They also instinctively oppose things the other party supports.

But when a solid majority of voters take a position it is not long until both parties support that position. People whose views are opposed by a majority of voters can not get elected to the presidency.

Ever since 1980 the nation has been trending anti abortion and pro American defense. The hate war and kill babies mentality of the 1960s has been decreasing. It has reached a point where those that support those views can not get elected.

What tends to happes is the party base at first nominates people who can only lose. Then cooler heads prevail and those that can win get nominated. On issues like abortion, the party loses by being on the wrong side. Then it starts allowing people who do not share the party line to be considered members in good standing. Then it ignores the issue as much as it can. Finally the party adopts the exact opposite of its former policy on the issue.

At lot of the Democratic base has moved to the swing voter status. President Bush got 45 percent of the Hispanic vote. In Ohio President Bush got 18 percent of the black vote. Both of these minorities were once thought to be part of the rock solid Democratic base. They are slipping away from Democrat control. The Democrats will have to adopt the Republican positions that are causing the erosion or become a permanent minority party.

The far left is losing control of the Democratic party. It will take a massive national defeat for the Howard Deans to go away. But that is in the works.

I suspect that history will see the next 12 years as golden age of conservatism.

[geedee]

To use a lawyers briefs or work papers from cases he works on as evidence of his beliefs is to say that all Divorce Lawyers oppose successful marriages.

Where have you been, Tator? I've either missed your incisive comments . . . or you haven't been makin' 'em. In either case . . . welcome back or I'm glad I caught up with ya'.