Wednesday, May 27, 2009
The Sotomayor Nomination
Well, I've spent much of the last two days considering where to come down on this issue...and I have decided to recommend that the Republican Party punt on this one (unless they find that she's been funneling money to terrorists). She is 1) a woman 2) Hispanic 3) already twice confirmed for the federal bench. It would be hard to make a case that she's unqualified, and if we tried, we'd be painted as racists and sexists. OF COURSE we don't agree with her....but there's no upside to fighting them on this one. She won't change the balance of the court, and we don't have the votes to stop her. Let Rush, Hannity and Ann Coulter have their way with this---Michael Steele and Republican Senators should just put their weapons back in their holsters, be respectful, and vote no.
I agree, but hope that the Republicans don't simply roll over without performing a thorough judicial colonoscopy first.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both of you. I actually think the GOP, if they can't actually win, can at least break even on this one. How they handle the hearings will be interesting; they should probe into how she came to her conclusions in the Ricci case as a start.
ReplyDeleteI think the GOP has handled the rollout well, with measured responses indicating very little. But it doesn't matter-they'll be painted as racist and sexist anyway.
So your advice is to roll over for the sake of political expediancy.
ReplyDeleteI just adore you people who have the courage of your convictions.
Anonymous
ReplyDeleteIt's called "picking your battles" or "keeping your powder dry".
But I'm sure she is the most qualified Hispanic woman they could find.
Anon - looking at the political chessboard, there don't appear to be a lot of moves afforded the GOP. They could stand on their "convictions" as you say, and will most likely lose anyway. In the end, what will a contentious nomination process get them (mind you, this scenario may still play out)? The republican senators who affirmed her the first time around are going to have a difficult time explaining their change of heart. It's possible of course, but unlikely. I agree with CW - republican senators should respectfully vote "no", after a thorough dissection of her record.
ReplyDeleteOne does not compromise one's principles, ever!
ReplyDeleteThat is how we arrived at this nadir in American history.