The Alito Nightmare
Sen. Frist finally gets something right-
AP: Frist calls Alito Democrats' "nightmare"
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist told Republican Party activists on Friday night that U.S. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito was the "worst nightmare of liberal Democrats."...
Why is he a 'nightmare' to anyone, Doctor? Perhaps he is not as 'mainstream' as he is portrayed?...
Frist's spokesperson downplayed the Senator's private remark, stating that Alito "is a thoughtful mainstream conservative jurist who is well respected by his peers, by Democrats and Republicans alike." Well if that was the case, we wouldn't have an issue here. But it's not true. Sandra Day O'Connor is a thoughtful mainstream conservative jurist. And she is secretly (and not so secretly in the Coulter-wing of the party) hated by the right for being just that. The right wants someone extreme who will push their agenda. They hated O'Connor (and David Souter too) because she would not. That is the real reason they torpedoed the nomination of the unqualified Ms. Miers- they didn't know where she stood; she may have been mainstream. With Alito, they know exactly what they've got... a hardcore conservative who passes their litmus test on extreme issues. And this isn't even the main reason his nomination should be opposed. Considering he was a key architect for presidential signing statements, and his strong support for the 'unitary executive' in general, he is a walking conflict of interest at a time when Congress is seeking to investigate Executive actions and fight for renewed checks and balances.
Frist is right- he is a nightmare- and this country will regret it if he is placed on the Court.
[Related- It's Not Too Late on Alito -- Don't Be Afraid to Lose]
posted by BlueDuck @ 8:26 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Let me guess...
If they picked an extremely, radically liberal Supreme Court nominee, you'd be just as angry, becuase he or she wouldn't be mainstream either. Haha. Doubt it.
Perhaps he will be a nightmare. But if given the chance, would the Dems pick someone just as "radical" to swing the bench in their direction? I'd bet on it.
Actually I would be just as angry if a radical liberal was place on the Court. This isn't a partisan thing. As I noted, I have great respect for mainstream conservatives judges like O'Connor or Souter. I wouldn't put Noam Chomsky on the Court, ya know. Mainstream centrists with no agenda, on both sides of the spectrum, are who belong on the Court. That is not Alito.
PS- I am glad that you at least admit that Alito isn't mainstream, but rather someone meant to swing the Court in a particular ideological way. The honesty is appreciated, but I think the result we're getting is disturbing.
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