Posted on 09/21/2005 7:24:38 AM PDT by freeperbaby
It was the late Senator Paul Tsongas (D-MA) who coined the term "Pander Bear" -- at the time a reference to his primary opponent, candidate Bill Clinton. Yesterday, Clinton might have ceded the title to Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). After a Democratic Caucus luncheon, Sen. Reid took to the floor in a rambling monologue to announce his opposition to the nomination of John Roberts as Chief Justice. Saying he had "too many unanswered questions" (this after 510 questions asked of the nominee over 22 hours), Reid concluded that he had to resolve his doubts "in favor of the American people", presumably the same people who support Roberts' confirmation by a wide margin.
No matter, in a floor speech filled with pretzel logic, Reid ricocheted like a pinball, hitting nearly every one of his core constituencies along the way. You can almost hear them ring as he hits them all. He even notes at the end -- favorably -- Roberts' work on "the Lake Tahoe takings case several years ago", calling it "really good work." Not good enough, apparently, but hey, here's a shout out to the constituents in Tahoe. Ching!
He concludes in the end that Roberts has just not "satisfied the very high burden that would justify my voting for his confirmation." It is fair to ask Sen. Reid exactly what Judge Roberts might have shown him that would have earned his vote. Presumably it would mean that Judge Roberts would have to kowtow to all the many and varied interests whom Sen. Reid cites in his meandering and hapless -- and sadly predictable -- barrage.
A very high burden indeed.
man,i would love to strap his ass to a cruise missile...
Yup, think central casting, think spin
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
