WSJ: Leahy Follows Orders - So it's time to attack John Roberts.

Wall Street Journal ^ | August 18, 2005 | Editorial

[OESY]

It's too bad there's now a firewall in place on the computer system used by the Senate Judiciary Committee's Democratic staff. We'd love to take a peek at the internal memos reacting to Tuesday's Washington Post story headlined "Roberts Unlikely to Face Big Fight; Many Democrats See Battle as Futile."

If the staff memos that were leaked on President Bush's appeals-court nominees in 2003 are any guide, Democrats once again are taking dictation from liberal interest groups-- this time on how to oppose Supreme Court nominee John Roberts. We expect Tuesday's e-chatter went along the lines of: "Ralph Neas called..." and "Nan Aron wants...." In case you doubt us, we refer you to yesterday's follow-up story in the Post, headlined "Democrats Feel Heat From Left on Roberts; Groups Say Fight Should Be Stronger."

It's no news flash that organizations like the Alliance for Justice, People for the American Way and MoveOn.org are influencing Democrats' attack on Judge Roberts. But the rapidity with which Senators Pat Leahy and Ted Kennedy jumped this week to follow the groups' orders is nonetheless remarkable, and politically revealing.

Within hours of publication of the first Post story, Mr. Leahy hit the barricades with a statement calling Judge Roberts "an eager and aggressive advocate" of policies "deeply tinged with the ideology of the far right wing of his party."...

As more information emerges..., a unanimous panel of the liberal American Bar Association yesterday gave the Supreme Court nominee its highest rating--well-qualified. And so the left is resorting to threats and made-up accusations, such as last week's ad by Naral Pro-Choice. Mr. Neas of People for the American Way says a number of liberal organizations will soon come out in formal opposition to Judge Roberts. We'll be watching... how many Senate Democrats follow him off the cliff.

[battlecry]

Leahy and Kennedy are such dishonorable men.

[Sacajaweau]

Schumer was supposed to be the attack dog on these nominees. He's been quiet lately.

He must be busy going through the notes Hillary sent him on: "How to respond to Able Danger".

"Dear Chuck: My hubby didn't know nuttin honey. If he didn't know about the secret blue dress, how do you expect him to know about something as secret of Able Danger? Geez, these Repubs are stupid."

Of course the statement isn't logical...but Hillary is NOT logical.

P.S. Chuck...The media said they will do anything to help us. Mandy will take care of that. Thank goodness we have control over them.

[WideGlide]

"Pat! You smell like $hit. Did you step in some dookey? Let me see the bottom of your shoe." Leahy said,"No. I had the vegetarian chili for lunch Harry and I just crapped my pants. Should I still do the Roberts press conference?"

[antiRepublicrat]

What happened here? Long ago in the Clinton administration, I liked Leahy because he was against the Clipper Chip and key escrow (both are so the government can know everything about you), and he pushed to make encryption regulations more sane.

But now has he gone insane or does he just like to fight against whatever administration is in power?

[bert]

....If he didn't know about the secret blue dress, how do you expect him to know about something as secret of Able Danger? .......

This is an interesting question.

It seems very reasonable to me that a secret military group could be established to protect the country by good guys who knew the President chose not to defend against terrorists. To be effective, it would be important for the President and his minions to be kept out of the loop.

[AZFolks]

Last week some Congressional authority ruled that all communications during confirmation procedures must be kept and released. The column was written by Mr. Miranda in the Journal. I wonder why the Journal is not now demanding the communications be released instead of wishing they could "peek" at them?

[hflynn]

Leahy announced he will vote for Roberts.