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- More tidbits from the
Elena Kagan hearingsrevelations of Republican Id: Charles Grassley asks whether the almighty had a hand in our gun rights; Jon Kyl denies that the Roberts court always sides with business over people; Tom Coburn thinks Kagan is "ignorant" for putting a higher premium on precedent than "original intent"; and John Cornyn invokes Plessy language to describe the access military recruiters had to Harvard Law. - I'm an institutionalist, so I know there are barriers to enacting a more robust liberal agenda, but I wish the president would use the bully pulpit more to put Republicans on the defense for their obstructionism. I can't think of any downside to pointing out at every available moment that the GOP has chosen to let the poor and unemployed suffer to satisfy a desire for "austerity" and that the party is more interested in slogans than good public policy.
- In this incredibly informative Politico article about Eric Cantor, we learn the House minority whip is "hyperambitious," "a serious wonk," and "a serious threat for higher office" in Virginia. He also apparently works hard, has a different legislative style than John Boehner, and is "driven." These truly are astonishing revelations, and frankly, my previous indifference to Cantor will now be replaced with a shy admiration for the old boy.
- Remainders: David Weigel becomes an MSNBC contributor; the Idaho GOP joins Montana, Texas for "craziest party platform" competition; Michael Gerson makes a strong play for Washington's Worst Columnist title; economists who believe governments ought to handle their finances like a typical American household do not deserve to be taken seriously; and why would anyone think a global energy company wouldn't make political contributions?
-- Mori Dinauer
