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Chat With Judiciary Committee Member Senator Sam Brownback

We've just been joined by Senator Sam Brownback.  A synopsis of the discussion is presented below (paraphrased throughout):

Opening remarks:

None of these opposition issues (1 person 1 vote, Vanguard, CAP) have stuck, so committee Democrats are now beating a dead horse.

Questions:

Is the level of discourse more distasteful than you would've predicted?

Yes.  There was not this level of character assassination in the Roberts confirmation.  Judge Alito has been on the bench for 15 years.  They can't make any headway based on the merits, so they're trying to smear him.

Will the American people appreciate that this is an inappropriate way to conduct hearings?

I don't know, but I hope my Senate colleagues will.

Why wasn't there as much character assassination in the Roberts confirmation?

I think they decided to let Roberts through and wait to do real battle and vote against the nominee in the following round.

What is the goal of obstructionist committee Democrats, if they don't believe blocking the confirmation is realistic?

To play to their constituents, to attack the Bush administration while numbers are down and charges are flying.

Comments

Chat With Judiciary Committee Member Senator Sam Brownback

We've just been joined by Senator Sam Brownback.  A synopsis of the discussion is presented below (paraphrased throughout):

Opening remarks:

None of these opposition issues (1 person 1 vote, Vanguard, CAP) have stuck, so committee Democrats are now beating a dead horse.

Questions:

Is the level of discourse more distasteful than you would've predicted?

Yes.  There was not this level of character assassination in the Roberts confirmation.  Judge Alito has been on the bench for 15 years.  They can't make any headway based on the merits, so they're trying to smear him.

Will the American people appreciate that this is an inappropriate way to conduct hearings?

I don't know, but I hope my Senate colleagues will.

Why wasn't there as much character assassination in the Roberts confirmation?

I think they decided to let Roberts through and wait to do real battle and vote against the nominee in the following round.

What is the goal of obstructionist committee Democrats, if they don't believe blocking the confirmation is realistic?

To play to their constituents, to attack the Bush administration while numbers are down and charges are flying.