January 31, 2006

SCOTUS Superlatives

The last 9 months have produced 2 SCOTUS vacancies, 3 SCOTUS nominees, a judicial compromise, a filibuster vote, and an untold number of memories. The judicial drama that has unfold over the last 9 months will undoubtedly be remembered in a class all its own. Through it all, we've seen some pretty impressive performances -- and while no superlatives can do these guys justice, we couldn't help but hand out a few accolades:

Most Athletic: White House-assigned sherpas, Fred Thompson, Dan Coats, and Ed Gillespie, whose pedometers logged more than a few miles as they ushered the nominees from senate office to senate office.

Biggest Loner: Sen. Daniel Inouye, the only member of the "Gang of 14" who voted against Roberts.

Biggest Ladies Man: Harriet Miers' on-again, off-again boyfriend Nathan Hecht

Most Likely to Succeed: Reagan-era lawyers

Teachers Pet: Sen. Arlen Specter, presumably humbled by the near loss of his chairmanship a year earlier, provided Bush with the loyal support he needed at the helm of the Judiciary Cmte.

Teachers Torment: GW Professor Jonathan Turley, who came out early and often against Bush's nominees, calling Miers an
"Amazingly Bad Choice" within minutes of her nomination.

Worst Case of Senioritis: Sen. John McCain, who in helping craft the filibuster compromise enjoyed a brief moment of relevance, but seemed to lose interest and press after the gang's prominence dwindled.

Most Dependable: Ralph Neas. A reporter on a deadline was never disappointed by this go to guy.

Hardest Working: Sunday, as in the day of the week. In the case of all 3 nominees, the use of religion became a way to both reassure and scare various groups. A Threepeat performance by the organizers of "Justice Sunday" insured that this day of rest put in some long hours.

Least Changed: Sen. Ted Kennedy. Just when you thought he'd given up his role as Liberal and Chief to Schumer, Kennedy ended the SCOTUS season with an impassioned call for a filibuster.

Best Hair: Unlike SCOTUS hearings of the past (aheem, Clarence Thomas), hair enjoyed little-to no relevance. No winner.

Most Hyped: SCOTUS Justice Alberto Gonzales

Life of the Party: John Roberts' son, Jack, who made a Copachaba man of the East Room

Posted at 05:48 PM

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