Democrats Are Wimps- Roberts Confirmation Proves It

You heard me right. I think the Democrats folded like cheap, soiled sheets in the recent hearings regarding one John Roberts. The Chief Justice-to-be proved himself very zen-like, he says nothing while at the same time saying everything.

Senators like John Kerry have made a smart argument in their dissension, citing Robert's limited tenure as a jurist, all the while avoiding the real issues at stake, like say women's reproductive freedom, civil rights, privacy. Little issues like those. From the beginning, they've pussy-footed around w's first nominee to the Big Bench, "reserving" their opinions when he was first nominated so as not to make any "pre-judgments." Of course, that gave Roberts several weeks of scrutiny-free bliss. What intimidates these Dems so? Is it re-election concerns? Threats of reprisal (I'll kick your ass, Leahy, if you vote down my man)? The aroma of Brylcreem from Roberts' lacquered head?

I believe the Dems needed to make a stronger stand, even if it would have been ill-fated. The right got where it is today by unifying together and offering organized responses. As with many issues, the left has organizational problems and can't play on the same team. Apparently, you can't herd donkeys.

One rationalization I've heard, stating that the real fight is for the next seat, is ultimately a meaningless statement (ironic, in that Robert's specializes in those...) The real fight is HERE, TODAY- we must fight every issue and hit hard. We softballed this guy from day one, because we've allowed the right to pigeonhole us into not wanting to be seen as "obstructionists." WHY don't we want to be "obstructionists?" That is the JOB DESCRIPTION of the party in opposition. The Repugs didn't mind being called "obstructionist" when they were the minority party.

Late-night comics and Howard Stern are joking about how little the answers Roberts uttered reveal about his true motives and views- what he said (or didn't say) is part of the zeitgeist. Enough people "get" what is happening here for the Democrats to have used the mood of the country to their advantage. Check out any current opinion poll regarding job approval for w. and then marvel at the opportunity the Dems have let pass, like a CEO in the night.

What could have been a crucial statement by hard-charging Dems intent on disclosure instead turned into another mealy-mouthed rubber stamp for w's will.

Wimps.

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Meanwhile, back at the ranch (actually, I am fairly close to the Bush compound, known to locals as the Englebrecht Hog Farm), we're battening down for the sloppy seconds of Hurricane Rita, whatever it has left post landfall. People in Waco are jamming into the local H-E-B grocery and Wal-Mart like Armageddon is upon us. Seriously, folks seem to think there are going to be major shortages of water and foodstuff in Waco. We're 250 miles inland. Methinks that smacketh of self-importance- if there's a hurricane about, certainly she's won't dare strike without coming through Waco! Typical area panic and hubris.

That being said, I don't look forward to the 40-50 mph winds we are due and the chance of losing trees in my yard. Whoosh.

MBT