New Liberalism

So Bush will get to make a second nomination to the Supreme Court, albeit with even less political capital than he had when he nominated John Roberts. That would suggest we’ll see another not-so-nuts nominee, like Roberts, which would be a good thing. Suggestions aside, though, the type of nominee Bush chooses to succeed Rhenquist will shine a very bright light on the state of panic within the White House. Many in the Holy-Wing of the GOP were not all-that-thrilled with Roberts, even though he's said he'd recuse himself if a conflict between the law and his Faith ever appeared before him while on the court (I suppose they would have wanted him to ignore the Constitution and give preference to their Constitution- the one that isn't a living, breathing document). Justices take oathes to uphold the Constitution... taking the day off when it might offend God not to is a dereliction of that duty, and hardly a sign of a prudent jurist. If Bush makes a conservative nomination, then I think the shit will hit the fan. A lot of moderate Republicans who are up for election in 2006 are going to want to get as far away from President Bush as they possibly can, and opposing an ultra-conservative nominee would be a good place to start. The Dems are, frankly, going to want to show nothing but righteous anger at the President for the next year to stave off primary challenges and shore up their elections. But the President has never cared particularly much for public opinion, so if does end up making a moderate nominee, I think we'll all know that its finally hit home for him, and I think we'll all know the White House is very concerned about the state of affairs.

But Liberals need to remember that we don’t get to make this appointment, so the smart thing to hope for a secular constructionist nominee, and not look too foolish in the questioning process.

# posted by Mayflower @ 5:50 AM