October 27, 2005

Ted Frank makes excellent points, and I won't be disappointed if he's right -- Michael McConnell is a friend and a great mind.

But the Supreme Court is more than a substantive body. It is also, quite legitimately, a symbolic body. Naming two Christian White males with Brahmin law pedigrees will confirm, in the minds of many Americans the GOP wishes to woo, that the party is unconcerned with those who have emerged from less distinguished backgrounds. Is that a reason to name an incompetent woman, black or Latino? Of course not. But it may well be a reason to name a highly competent woman, black or Latino.

I say, the President should gear up for a fight for his highly competent, conservative, female, black or Latino-heritage judge. Let the left bray over this -- the President will have renewed allegiance from his base and renewed appreciation from Americans.