We are about to find out if there is any hope for the Republican Party. It is increasingly clear that confirming the nomination of Elena Kagan to the United States Supreme Court will be giving a life-time irreversible appointment to a hard-core, left wing, liberal radical. When one considers all the stunts Democrats pulled to try and prevent the confirmation of main stream judges like Thompson, Alioto and Roberts, it is unbelievable that Republicans appear to be willing to roll over on this. Republicans should stop this by any means necessary, including a lengthy filibuster, if necessary. Even if this fails, it will allow Republicans to inform the American people about this dangerous appointment. Republicans rolled over on Ruth Bader Gingsberg because they thought a President had the right to his own appointment, as long as they were legally qualified. Democrats show no such restraint with regard to appointments by Republicans. They are more than willing to oppose judge simply for being a conservative. Obama himself wanted to filibuster Alioto, purely on ideological grounds. Republicans already blew it with regard to Sotomayor who backtracked on every single promise she made during her confirmation hearings. Being polite, when asked to confirm someone like Elena Kagan is no virtue. Opposing a judge who shows every sign of being a dangerous radical is no vice. If anything, it is a duty to defend the Constitution of the United States. This isn’t even a close call.
Democrats will be out of power by the end of November. Obama will be out of office by the end of 2012. But the damage from confirming Elena Kagan to the United Supreme Court could last for decades.
Today Democrats used the hearings to slam the current Supreme Court. Yet Republicans are expected to avoid offending sensibilities by appearing to pick on Ms. Kagan. This is one time when the Republicans should demand more diversity on the Supreme Court. There is something missing. Every current justice is either Jewish or Catholic. There is not a single protestant on the court. Our Supreme Court represents every segment of society, except the majority. Some diversity.
TDM