It seems to me that the White House is just plain ignoring the political realities right now. Take the President's radio address on his Supreme Court appointment today:
I will be guided by clear principles as I make my decision. My nominee will be a fair-minded individual who represents the mainstream of American law and American values. The nominee will meet the highest standards of intellect, character, and ability, and will pledge to faithfully interpret the Constitution and laws of our country. Our nation deserves, and I will select, a Supreme Court justice that Americans can be proud of.The keys here, of course, are what the definition of mainstream is and how one defines values. Now I don't trust the President's definitions of either mainstream or values. But he's never going to win me over.
What I find strange about his stance, and where I think that they are simply ignoring reality, is that use of the word "mainstream". It's a code-word to Conservatives for squish -- someone who's not REALLY that conservative.
Conservatives have spent over 30 years waiting for this very moment. Ostensibly, they have the White House and the Congress. There are no excuses left for the Republicans not to appoint a Focus on the Family Conservative to the Court.
With a 42% approval rating, it's clear that the President has his base Conservatives and about 15% of Americans - the only slightly whack-job. Mainstream to them, an appointment leaning towards Gonzales, would be a complete sell-out and would have Conservatives outraged.
So if he's never going to win me over, and he's unlikely to win over any Democrat, after Schaivo and stem cells, what does the President think de-motivating his base like this is going to do? How is this going to help him?
The reality is that with scandal brewing, he's going to need his base. A move like this will outrage them, and may de-motivate the Conservatives out of the political process. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy...
