[Do not dub me shapka broham]

I'm sorry, but the prospect of three more decades of execrable, anti-Constitutional decisions like Grutter and Bakke being upheld does not fill me with elation.

We knew where Clarence Thomas stood on "substantive" due process, a color-blind society, and the underlying structure of the Bill of Rights BEFORE he was confirmed.

Is it to much too ask of a potential SC justice that she give us similar confidence?

[colorcountry]

Why can't you hear her out? Why is there such a knee-jerk reaction to label her a closet lib? I know a lot of lefties that have seen the light and have become conservative, but I have yet to meet a conservative that became a dem-socialist. Becoming conservative is a process of growing-up, and learning that the "feel good" politics of our youth don't work in the real world.

I agree with the premise that Bush blew his chance to have the good fight with the left on the confirmation process. This is the hand we've been dealt. Come on....at least look at your cards before you fold. Wait for the hearings. Roberts proved himself (and a lot of FReepers doubted his selection), maybe Harriet will too.

If not, I promise to work like the dickens to block her appointment.

[Cboldt]

Is it to much too ask of a potential SC justice that she give us similar confidence?

Yes, because ...

• If she is openly traditionalist she won't be confirmed
• The DEM minority in the Senate will use the filibuster, and she won't be confirmed
• Since confirmation requires 60 votes, the nominee must have middle of the road bona fides, or if the bona fides are traditionalist, they must be hidden
• The confirmation process is so nasty that no open traditionalist will accept the nomination - even their familes will be attacked and pilloried, and we can't have attack and pillory, because "we need to pick" who is on the seat
• The GOP isn't strong enough to get a traditionalist confirmed, see gang of 14
• To question the President makes him look weak
• It is logical to extend her religious view of pro-life to her judicial philosophy

I'm sure I'm missing a few.

Being from the dark side, I have a certain bias, but her Answers to the Senate questionnaire didn't give me the warm fuzzies. They gave me cold chills. But that's just me, "being extreme." YMMV.