I think you’re 100% right about the way this nomination will expose Republicans for who they are. The filibuster vote was certainly not a win for Democrats, but the situation prompted Mitch McConnell to say “African-American voters are voting in just as high a percentage as American voters.” Most Republicans struggle to talk about race without letting a little racism slip in there. Creating an environment where their base makes them talk about race, will almost certainly produce some more bad sound bites for them.
I totally agree with Biden's focus on nominating an eminently qualified black woman to the Supreme Court. These women have so much depth and experience, especially when compared with some of the justices already on the bench. I have seen a lot of people responding to the right wing bs with the example of Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump actively searching for women. I also remember that when Clarence Thomas was nominated by Bush 1, they were obviously looking for a conservative black man to replace Thurgood Marshall. Look how that worked out.
Dan, How quickly would you like this process to move? I know Biden said he would select a name by end of February, but how soon after that should live on TV hearings take place? Some pundits have said prime time, in the fall, just ahead of mid-terms, for maximum impact. Maybe.... but I am of the opinion Dems should not string out this process for that effect... mainly because anything could happen to one of our 50 Senators in the meantime... and then what? What do you think?
I have no problem with Mr. Biden promising to nominate a Black woman to the court. I agree such a nomination is long overdue. The Supreme Court should look more like the population and less like a good ole boys club. Minorities have different experiences growing up in America than the people like Kavanaugh, Alito, Gorsuch, Roberts, and little Amy 3 names. When I think that 2 legal pipsqueaks like Thomas and Barrett occupy the seats of legal giants, I want to throw up.
Maya Wiley spoke about the implications of the record of dissent on the court this morning on Jonathon Capehart's show, and I couldn't agree more. While there is room for dissent when the court is so tilted to the right is reason for hope. I hope this inspires people in the face of some very tough elections. I've used Scalia's language about affirmative action to frame how whiteness has shaped the courts and the assumptions that people in power make about justice, equity, and Affirmative Action - and the quotes you provide from Tuckums and the others just affirm that. The fact that the right is appropriating the term racism indicates that they are working to undermine its true meaning - which is predicated on power and control (and whiteness). The CRT tenet that describes "racism as normal" is also at play here - I can see a lot of great scholarship emerging along those lines. I just hope that it is used to good effect by Dems in their messaging.
Very well written. I agree. However, you omitted a potential huge distraction, war in Ukraine. Do you have thoughts on how it may impact the nomination process?
I think you’re 100% right about the way this nomination will expose Republicans for who they are. The filibuster vote was certainly not a win for Democrats, but the situation prompted Mitch McConnell to say “African-American voters are voting in just as high a percentage as American voters.” Most Republicans struggle to talk about race without letting a little racism slip in there. Creating an environment where their base makes them talk about race, will almost certainly produce some more bad sound bites for them.
I totally agree with Biden's focus on nominating an eminently qualified black woman to the Supreme Court. These women have so much depth and experience, especially when compared with some of the justices already on the bench. I have seen a lot of people responding to the right wing bs with the example of Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump actively searching for women. I also remember that when Clarence Thomas was nominated by Bush 1, they were obviously looking for a conservative black man to replace Thurgood Marshall. Look how that worked out.
Absolutely. Supporting the nominee should provide a chance to go on offense against GOP racism.
Dan, How quickly would you like this process to move? I know Biden said he would select a name by end of February, but how soon after that should live on TV hearings take place? Some pundits have said prime time, in the fall, just ahead of mid-terms, for maximum impact. Maybe.... but I am of the opinion Dems should not string out this process for that effect... mainly because anything could happen to one of our 50 Senators in the meantime... and then what? What do you think?
I have no problem with Mr. Biden promising to nominate a Black woman to the court. I agree such a nomination is long overdue. The Supreme Court should look more like the population and less like a good ole boys club. Minorities have different experiences growing up in America than the people like Kavanaugh, Alito, Gorsuch, Roberts, and little Amy 3 names. When I think that 2 legal pipsqueaks like Thomas and Barrett occupy the seats of legal giants, I want to throw up.
Maya Wiley spoke about the implications of the record of dissent on the court this morning on Jonathon Capehart's show, and I couldn't agree more. While there is room for dissent when the court is so tilted to the right is reason for hope. I hope this inspires people in the face of some very tough elections. I've used Scalia's language about affirmative action to frame how whiteness has shaped the courts and the assumptions that people in power make about justice, equity, and Affirmative Action - and the quotes you provide from Tuckums and the others just affirm that. The fact that the right is appropriating the term racism indicates that they are working to undermine its true meaning - which is predicated on power and control (and whiteness). The CRT tenet that describes "racism as normal" is also at play here - I can see a lot of great scholarship emerging along those lines. I just hope that it is used to good effect by Dems in their messaging.
Very well written. I agree. However, you omitted a potential huge distraction, war in Ukraine. Do you have thoughts on how it may impact the nomination process?