And So It Begins

The holiday period ends for most people today, including our friends in Washington. So get ready for a blitz of predictions, innuendo, rumor, advertising, counter-advertising, threats, wishes, dreams, and maybe even a little meaningful information regarding the Supreme Court nomination of Samuel Alito. The confirmation hearing starts next Monday, January 9, so only the next several days remain for the pro- and anti-Alito forces to unleash all the good stuff they have been saving up while the rest of us have been concentrating on holiday fun.

It looks like the first strategy to be employed by the Bush Administration is to decrease expectations. The front page of the New York Times this morning carried a story (here's a link, but registration likely required) with the headline "Alito Team Says He Lacks Polish, But Grit Is a Plus." Oh, sure, Judge Alito went to Princeton and Yale, has argued lots of cases before the Supreme Court, been a U.S. Attorney, and has been a highly regarded Third Circuit judge for 15 years. But the Bush people don't want you to go crazy about this guy. After all, he's no John Roberts.

According to the obligatory anonymous quotes in the Times, Judge Alito "is not going to be the well-manicured nominee." In addition, says the Times' source, "He will have a couple hairs out of place ... I am not sure his glasses fit his facial features. He might not wear the right color tie. He won't be tanned. He will look like he is from New Jersey, because he is."

Is this going to be a confirmation hearing or an episode of "Queer Eye for the Supreme Court Guy"?

Despite their efforts, they are never going to turn someone of Judge Alito's background and experience into some sort of New Jersey Everyman. Which, given the job he is seeking, is just fine with me. Whatever the political calculus is in using this cynical strategy out of the box, it certainly isn't flattering to Judge Alito or the confirmation process.