“While that’s true in too many areas, it’s not true w/respect to judicial appointments. McCain might appoint good judges, if only by accident (did GHWB mean to give us Thomas?). Obama would never have that accident.”
I don’t see Sen. McCain making many accidents, either. I would expect more like Souter, Burger, and O’Connor; all of whom were nominated by GOP Presidents.
I share your expectation. I also expected W to appoint a lightweight crony. He did, but she got shoved back at him, and we wound up with Roberts and Alito, both waaaay better than I would have guessed we could get from W.
Both Alito and Roberts had in past decisions correctly identified something which is not interstate commerce (an indigenous California toad in the case of Roberts, and the famous (now moot) machine gun in the case of Alito).
My best guess is that those are the last two nominees I will ever see who have correctly identified something which is not interstate commerce.
My best guess has been wrong before....