Bush Won't Choose Consensus Nominee
July 05, 2005
George Bush is not going to nominate a moderate justice like Sandra Day O’Connor to fill her seat on the Supreme Court. He’s going to pick a hard right ideologue.
Ted Kennedy and Chuck Schumer, you’re wasting your breath by urging Bush to pick a “consensus” replacement.
And People for the American Way, the Alliance for Justice, and Planned Parenthood, you’re wasting your time and money by urging Bush to pick a “consensus” nominee.
Plus, you’re wasting your memberships’ energy by having them send e-mails to Bush with the same message.
Bush doesn’t listen to you, or to your members.
He listens to his conservative base.
What’s more, he doesn’t know what the word “consensus” means.He thinks it’s a baseball player with a steroid problem--you know, Jose Consensus.
Just listen to his words: In two Presidential campaigns, he has promised to nominate a justice in the mold of Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas. (Somebody, break that mold!)
Or consider another name: John Bolton.
No, Bolton isn’t going up to the Supreme Court, thank God. But Bush is still trying to push him through to the United Nations, and Bolton is to consensus what Cheney is to charm.
And speaking of Cheney, he’s been in all powwows that Bush has been having about O’Connor’s successor.
So has Karl Rove.
These are the spearthrowers of the conservative movement, the powers behind the throne.Cheney and Rove aren’t about to let Bush nominate someone unacceptable to the far right.
So don’t beg Bush for a consensus nominee.
Demand, instead, that your own Senators take their advise and consent duties seriously so that when Bush unveils that immoderate nominee, they can do what is necessary to protect our rights: and that means, if necessary, embracing our old friend filibuster.