Petty Judicial Politics

Over at Real Clear Politics is a piece by Professor Ronald Cass that's well worth reading. It decries the petty pit into which that judicial politics have descended -- where obviously qualified and honorable nominees are being denied the courtesy of an up-or-down vote for no reason other than that they have offended the political sensibilities of some power-drunk senator.

Here, courtesy of Senator Jon Kyl, is a summary of the Judiciary Committee's dismal record in moving the nominations of appellate court judges (where, in fact, a good deal of the important law is made). It's another gentle reminder that the Republicans need to get it together.

It ought to go without saying that the judicial nominations fight is one the Republicans should actively be seeking. Not only is it right, not only does it motivate the base, but it's also one of the areas -- amid the perception of deep difficulties in Iraq and the reality of high gas prices -- where Republicans have the "good" side of the debate.

If there's anything the public hates, it's the arrogance of power . . . and politicians who abuse their positions for their own idiosyncratic reasons, simply because they can. As with the much-vaunted "culture of corruption", it's worth asking: If Democrats behave this badly when they're in the minority, can anyone imagine how they'd behave with a majority?