An open note to dems

At the confirmation hearings for John Roberts, Senator Kyl has the best remarks yet. Using ideology as a benchmark for voting on judges opens up the judiciary to political considerations, somethign that should be avoided on principle. I don't think Kennedy or Schumer are able to comprehend this.

Remember: there were 44 Republicans in the 103rd Congress, as there are 44(+1) democrats in the Senate now. Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who is at least as repugnant to conservatives as Roberts could be to liberals, was confirmed by a 96-3. A few months later, Stephen Breyer was confirmed 87-9. The next year, Republicans picked up 6 seats in the Senate in the 1994 Republican Revolution.

Don't make the mistake of thinking blind opposition is the route to winning. You should be encouraging your senators to be principled and fair. It's okay to oppose Roberts, but opposing on ideological grounds will open up future confirmations to a whole lot fo things you don't want. What happne sif a democrat wins in '08 and Republicans make gains in the Senate? Anything is fair game if Roberts, who everyone (as of right now) agrees is eminantly qualified, is opposed by a majority of dems for partisan reasons.