” we were told that the essay portion was written so you could argue either side of the issue, so “picking a side;” did not determine success or failure. How you analyzed the issues got you the score.”
We were told the same. And it makes sense. Contrary to the fantasy world of movies, books and some of the internet, real life is rarely purely black or purely white. If it were so, the issue would never come to a lawyer. The laws change, as we well know, but the ability to spot salient factors, apply the law as known at the time to those factors, and put it into cohesive language is the real skill needed by attorneys.
That is why failing four times is a serious red flag in my mind. I’m not sure even now Murkowski can see the forest for the trees at her nose.