Michael Kinsley goes over the top with this one:
It’s clear that the one paralyzing fact about Sonia Sotomayor, to Republicans, is the color of her skin. If she weren’t Latino, they would be in full revenge-for-Clarence-Thomas mode. Instead, they are in an agony of indecision, with GOP strategists openly warning: Support the Latina or die. If the 40 remaining Republican senators end up voting for Sotomayor, her race will be the reason.
Yes, congressional Republicans have been nearly unanimous in opposing Obama’s economic plans. But that’s no reason to be so sure they’d be unanimous in opposing a white Supreme Court justice. Just for example, Stephen Breyer was confirmed on an 87-9 vote, and if the Republicans wanted to be in “full revenge-for-Clarence-Thomas mode.” that would’ve been a more natural time to do it. I know that Kinsley specializes in clever arguments, but in this case I think he’s too clever by half.
To put it another way: the simplest response to Kinsley is that he’s taking pure untestable speculation and claiming it’s simply true. A more nuanced response is that I don’t actually think his statement is true. Much depends on the particular nominee.
3 responses so far
1 ottovbvs // May 30, 2009 at 6:38 am
Actually Kinsley’s column overall was a brilliant dissection of dilemma the GOP finds itself in over this matter. It’s being played out by the day for all to see with duelling pronouncements by the Cornyn/Limbaugh factions. Why Gelman wants to deny this reality with a typical bit of casuistry about the vote for Breyer is hard to discern. Maybe denial of reality has just become an ingrained habit of life. By the day it becomes more apparent that this whole Sotomayor nomination is turning into a massive Republican friendly fire incident. Kinsley’s take is far more acute than Gelman’s.
2 JJWFromME // May 30, 2009 at 12:23 pm
“…he’s taking pure untestable speculation and claiming it’s simply true.”
Come on. This whole dustup reeks of identity politics. Paul Krugman listed some examples earlier in the week:
http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/27/a-note-on-identity-politics/
3 Bulldoglover100 // Jun 1, 2009 at 3:44 pm
She was appointed by a Republican President and now the GOP wants to paint her as evil. It makes us look stupid.
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