Scalito

Last week in my post on why Harriet Miers withdrew her nomination, I laid out two possible causes: the lack of moderate Republican support and the lack of wingnut Republican support. I said that the character of the new nominee would reflect which one of the above two had greater weight.

Bush nominated Scalito, a Scalia clone. The fundies are fine with Scalito, and from his record it seems that he is a-ok with them. This lends more support to the wingnut theory. However, the more I think about it the more I cannot help but wonder if Scalito was really nominated to appease the crazies. From what we know about Bush he does not give a damn about anything or anyone but himself. I do not think the Scalito nomination represents an utter capitulation to the crazy right; it is merely the latest in a long line of Bush crony nominations and appointments.

Bush nominated Scalito because he feels the most comfortable with Scalito and that Scalito will represent Bush's views on the SC. That is it, nothing more. If Bush's views happen to be more in line with the fundies than the moderates, then he will nominate someone is more in line with the fundies. But it is important to note that the alignment with the fundies is second-hand. Scalito is first and foremost aligned with Bush.

In light of this, Bush is serving nobody but himself. America and even the GOP take second place to his own ego. He loves to label anyone who disagrees with him as a judicial activist. Had he read any polls lately he would realize that he is the one out of touch with mainstream judicial philosophy. Of course that would require him to give a damn. About reading. The SC judge most likely to overturn precedent? Bush's favorite, Clarence Thomas. How does that sit with you for judicial activism?

No matter what the reasons for this appointment, Scalito must be opposed with full force. Bush can whine like the little baby he is, but it is 80 years too late for Scalito to be considered in the mainstream.