[pollyannaish]

From my perspective the Bork and Thomas hearings were sort of the commencement of this current fight.

This country has always been politically contentious to greater or lesser degrees, based on the world-view division of the general population.

My comments are not intended to imply this is new—just that it is at a hysterical, fever pitch, mostly due to Roe v. Wade and other "social justice" issues on the left...and the consternation over extraconstitutional judges on the right.

Miers did not answer either group's questions. The vacuum inflamed the overall hysteria. If one of the "conservative approved judges" had been nominated, the viciousness of the attacks from the left would have been extreme, personal and life-ruining because the confirmation of that judge would openly and aggressively change the dynamics on the court.

An openly conservative nominee would have created a very bloody fight, which to be honest is what we were all kind of looking forward to—with both the left and the right believing that most Americans are on their side. IMO, we both may be fooling ourselves a little bit. But, I have been wrong many times and may be underestimating the interest of the non-politically active citizen.

I believe some candidates just didn't want to stand squarely in the crossfire. Once the dynamic on the court HAS changed, the fight will be less aggressive and those same people might consider the job again.

[jla]

Very good pts. Ones that I don't at all dismiss.

[Shazolene]

Good reply (#986) to a great post.
We really need to stop doing the bidding of the Dims and the MSM. We are being successfully manipulated.
Even without an 'inside' source, this scenario just makes sense.
BTTT