Yeah, I saw it on the Crap New Net from the hotel. And for the most part I agree with Quiddity. The train is on the tracks and the allegedly "moderate" republicans are going to get a huuuge surprise when the nominee is announced and probably placed on the court.
Speculation? The early front-runner in my book: Abu Gonzales. Preznit Spineless Invertebrate gets to go for big points within the Hispanic community, watch Salazar shepard this in the spirit of "bi-partisanhip" right before he goes all Ben Nighthorse Campbell in Harry Reid's ass. Gonzales is that most valuable of all nominees; a loyal camp follower, who has a built-in constituency and has passed recent muster in the Senate despite all his objectionable and thoroughly un-American but wholeheartedly republican positions on Everything.
If this were pinball and not politics, the "Tilt" light would have been lit long ago. Unfortunately too many in our party tried to take the high ground an argue, argue, argue policy while getting whacked by politics. The end result has begun to arrive.
No more Mr. Nice Guy. Filibuster all.
posted by Jo Fish on 07.03.05 at 12:49 AM
Comments:
Garza. Gonzales without the backgage.
"He used to be: a Marine captain, a Texas trial judge, a U.S. District Court judge in the Western District of Texas "
2nd choice? Luttig.
"Fairly or not, Luttig watchers invariably speculate as to whether a personal tragedy in his past—the murder of his father in a carjacking in 1994—has influenced his approach to criminal law."
Both rock solid conservatives that would sail through confirmation. Not because they wouldn't lurch the court to the Right but because there just isn't enough out there to force Senators to vote against them.
Bush wants this one in the bag, the big battle comes when Rehnquists quits, and he just doesn't have the juice to spare right now. Catch the Left flat footed with Garza or even Luttig and that $17 million in advertising money will leave us looking pretty stupid. "Jeez Luttig is pissed just because some car-jacker shot his dad dead in cold blood? What's up with that?"
I think Luttig's judicial views are troubling, though strange things happen when you hit a lifetime position on the High Court. Neither Earl Warren or Harry Blackman met expectations. Nor O'Conner and Souter. Oddly enough Supreme Court Justices tend to take their jobs seriously.
Maybe Bush is looking for a showdown but this is an odd point for him to be calling out the Democrats at High Noon. Garza or Luttig works. In a pinch Wilkinson. I predict bread and butter conservative and not gasoline on the flames. Karl has other priorities right now.
Short grumpy version: Garza, Luttig, Wilkinson. Conservative guys that can get confirmed. Because Bush doesn't have the juice to push anyone out on the edge. He just can't afford to get Borked right now.
