Greg Sargent reports that the far-right activists at the Family Research Council are gearing up to oppose Obama's nominees to the Department of Justice and outlines the anticipated objections:
The Family Research Council's planned assault concerns four nominees that are highly regarded on the left: Associate Attorney General Thomas Perrelli, Solicitor General Elena Kagan and Assistant Attorney General Dawn Johnsen, and Deputy Attorney General David Ogden. Ogden angers the right for his work representing porn organizations; Perrelli represented Michael Schiavo; Kagan opposed a measure letting military recruiters on campus; and Johnsen is a consistent supporter of abortion rights.
Liberal objections to the way the Department of Justice was run under Bush were based on the politicization of the Department's hiring practices by ignoring civil service laws, its focus on partisan political agendas, and its abdication of responsibility on such issues as fighting race-based and gender discrimination. Every change in administration leads to a shift in priorities, but in some cases the political appointees at the DoJ simply ignored laws and rules designed to make sure the Department's work wasn't politicized.
Meanwhile, the FRC's objections to Obama's justice nominees are largely based on the idea that they will either enforce laws that are on the books or they won't crusade against things that aren't illegal. Adults have a right to view pornography, Michael Schiavo's legal opponents didn't have a leg to stand on, abortion is legal in this country and Kagan's personal views on military recruiters on campus are irrelevant because President Obama has already stated his support for allowing them. They're not objecting to the politicization of the DoJ, they're angry that it isn't being politicized in favor of their agenda.
-- A. Serwer
