KID GLOVES
Hey, Republicans. Be nice to Elena. That’s the essential message from upper management. The urge to throw mud is irresistible now that President Obama has nominated Solicitor General Elena Kagan for Supreme Court justice. But please. Get the point across in dulcet tones and stately language. The party will be “strong but respectful” in upcoming judicial confirmation hearings, the Republican National Committee promises.
“Elena Kagan will need to demonstrate that she is committed to upholding the vision of our Founding Fathers, who wrote a Constitution meant to limit the power of government, not expand it,” says committee Chairman Michael S. Steele. “You can expect Senate Republicans to respectfully raise serious and tough questions.”
Should Republicans get in touch with their inner Ronald Reagan, modeling the former president’s role as strategically minded gentleman warrior? Maybe. Gary Bauer, president of American Values, advises senators to “courteously but resolutely” question Miss Kagan when the time comes.
“Republicans will demonstrate respect and civility toward Kagan, even while asking tough questions and examining her record and legal views,” the National Republican Senatorial Committee says.
BOXING GLOVES
“President Obama has appointed another ’big sis’ to be the next justice on the Supreme Court. This time he’s picked a real prize. Elena Kagan tried to kick the military off the Harvard campus when she was dean of the law school because of ’don’t ask, don’t tell,’ just to give you an idea of her orientation on that issue. She took money from Goldman Sachs just like her boss, Obama,” says talk-radio host Michael Savage.
“Now the empty skirts in the media are saying that she doesn’t have much of a ’paper trail’ that would reveal her views on issues. but her senior thesis at Princeton was entitled, ’To the Final Conflict: Socialism in New York City, 1900-1933.’ She’s a New York City radical, Marxist lawyer through and through.”
Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch, deems Miss Kagan’s nomination ” irresponsible,” adding, “The fact that she continued to work in the Clinton White House after it became clear that President Clinton lied under oath raises questions about her ethical judgment.”
Mr. Fitton notes, “Tea party activists ought to be paying close attention to this nomination. With looming constitutional battles ranging from Obamacare to illegal immigration, the United States Senate should ensure that only a justice who will strictly interpret the U.S. Constitution is approved. There’s no reason to believe that Ms. Kagan meets this standard.”
BORDER WARS NO. 1
“America is the land of opportunity, and should always remain that. In many ways America’s immigration laws are among the most open in the world, and should remain as such. But everyone from around the world who wishes to come to America and participate in the magic blend of opportunity and freedom that our nation represents should abide by our laws. That’s all we ask.”
“Border security, especially in the age of transnational terrorism, is national security. It is time for President Obama to drop the divisive, race-based politics-as-usual rhetoric and do his job. It is time for Washington to secure our borders, first, without folding in amnesty to those who have transgressed our immigration laws. If Washington does not secure our borders, there will be more violence on our uncontrolled border, more law enforcement agents and private citizens will be injured and possibly killed, and the states will have no choice but to continue to take matters into their own hands.”
Cathie Adams, chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, in a letter to President Obama.
BORDER WARS NO. 2
“While I understand the frustration about the failures of our current system, states should not be permitted to enact their own discriminatory immigration laws while the federal government works to reform our laws. The Arizona law is an embarrassment to our country and a call to action to our communities to stand up for justice.”
“For these reasons, I ask that you consider boycotting the All Star Game in Arizona until SB1070 is repealed or the League decides to move the game to an alternate location.”
Sen. Robert Menendez, New Jersey Democrat, in a May 10 letter to Michael Weiner, executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association.
DEMOCRATS TAKE TEA
“Democrats should reconnect with their populist roots in order to pick off the part of the ’tea party’ crowd who prefer the anti-Wall Street party to the anti-government party,” says pollster John Zogby.
His new poll reveals that 41 percent of Americans say they’ll vote Republican in the 2010 midterm elections, and 41 percent say they’ll vote Democratic. President Obama’s approval rating lingers at 47 percent, says the survey of 2,068 likely voters conducted May 7 to 9.
“The generic congressional ballot provides some interesting trends to watch for heading into November as well. While Republicans are winning 39 percent-24 percent among political independents, Democrats are winning 50 percent-25 percent among moderates. Mr. Obama and the Democrats are doing poorly among right-leaning independents but have room to grow with 23 percent of moderates and 30 percent of independents still undecided,” Mr. Zogby adds.
POLL DU JOUR
• 85 percent of Americans say the U.S. relationship with Europe is important.
• 79 percent of Americans are concerned that Europe’s economic crisis will cause major economic problems in the U.S.
• 63 percent oppose the U.S. providing up to $8 billion in loans to stabilize the Greek economy.
• 50 percent say it would be better for the world if Europe became “more like the U.S.”
• 18 percent say the U.S. should be more like Europe.
• 32 percent are not sure which course is best.
Source: A Rasmussen Reports survey of 1,000 adults conducted May 7 and 8.
• Tip line always open (aw, go ahead) at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.