Russert: Promote the Left

This morning's Meet the Press was yet another example of Tim Russert's increasingly partisan questioning.

Former Senator Fred Thompson, adviser to Supreme Court nominee John Roberts, was the first guest.

Russert's questions seemed to have been handed to him by the DNC. He went through all the Dem anti-Roberts talking points that have been circulating. Well, not all, but as many as he could fit into the segment.

Much of the exchange focused on Roe v. Wade.

Thompson said that Roberts must maintain his objectivity and it would be inappropriate for him to answer what his views are on abortion.

Russert read a quote from Ruth Bader Ginsburg. During her confirmation hearing, she told her views on abortion because she believed that it was such an important issue that she needed to be clear about her position.

What a joke!

Ginsburg refused to answer specific questions about her views and she wasn't pressed by Republicans to so. However, on abortion, she did. Why? Because that was the liberal litmus test for confirmation and she knew Clinton expected her to make her pro-abortion position known.

Russert wouldn’t let up on the abortion issue, citing a Washington Post poll that over 60 percent of Americans believe John Roberts should answer questions about his abortion stance.

Thompson, rightly said that such polls are irrelevant to the process.

Russert brought up Jane Roberts' membership in Feminists for Life. He asked Thompson if that's fair.

Thompson, of course, replied that it was not fair. He said she has a right to her positions, that she's a professional woman with her own ideas. The activities of Roberts' wife should not be part of the hearing.

Russert then trotted out another quote, this one from Sandra Day O'Connor. He read the bit about her being disappointed that the nominee was not a woman, leaving out the portion where she gave her firm support to Roberts.

Russert actually asked: "Will that be an issue?"

That is idiotic!!! Can you imagine a senator objecting to Roberts' confirmation on the basis that he's not a woman?

Come to think of it, I CAN picture a Dem senator doing that.
I can even picture a RINO senator like George Voinovich doing that. He'd say, "I call it the chromosome test. Do we feel comfortable about the chromosome test?"

Thompson predicted that Roberts will be confirmed overwhelmingly.

Next up, Dick Durbin.

Russert pitched the softballs and Durbin proved to be an excellent catcher.

Durbin said that John Roberts has the burden of proving that he’s worthy of a lifetime appointment and, whether through documentation or by way of answering questions, he needs to be open and honest.

Russert said Republicans didn’t press for all of Breier’s personal notes to be given up the way Democrats are demanding access to Roberts' writings.

Durbin explained the cases are totally different. With Roberts, it's necessary because he's an "empty vessel" that they must fill.

Russert then quoted Durbin's initial reaction on the night when Bush addressed the nation, making his Supreme Court nominee announcement. Durbin said Roberts was a "great nominee." Durbin acknowledged that he said that but he needs "more answers."

Then on Roe v. Wade, Russert got a little tougher on Durbin. He brought up that years ago Durbin had said the right to abortion is not guaranteed in the Constitution.

Durbin fumbled around saying that he didn’t understand the argument at the time. After coming to Washington, he finally came to the conclusion that we must "honor Roe v. Wade thinking" and the government shouldn't intrude. He admitted he changed his position. (When someone converts to being pro-abortion, liberals call that "enlightenment.")

Durbin insisted that Roberts must answer questions on abortion. He also brought up the Terri Schiavo case, making good on Dr. Dean's promise that Dems would exploit her tragic death/ murder.

Russert pointed out that O'Connor, Thomas, and Breier didn’t talk about abortion in the “candid” way that Durbin expects Roberts to do.

Durbin said that it would be necessary for Dems to press Roberts on the issue because the American people expect them to do it. In this case, American people equals NARAL, NOW, MoveOn, PFAW, etc., etc.

Russert ran a 1992 clip of Bill Clinton saying that if elected he would appoint nominees that believed in the right to choose (meaning kill babies). He asked if Bush should have the right to appoint nominees that are anti-abortion.

Durbin dodged and weaved back to reciting the mantra that there are "lots of unanswered questions." Although Durbin claimed he wasn't looking for a litmus test, he said that he would not vote for Roberts if he says that the right to privacy is not guaranteed in the Constitution, the very thing Durbin himself used to say.

Hey! Dick! That's a litmus test!

Then, Russert and Durbin discussed the consultation dance that the Senate and the White House performed prior to Bush announcing Roberts as the nominee.

Durbin said that Clinton had REAL conversations about nominees with Orrin Hatch and he was given names. Bush didn't truly consult with the Senate.

Excuse me? Speaking with SEVENTY senators and giving names apparently wasn't enough for Durbin. (What he really is saying is that Dems are unhappy Bush didn't choose a former ACLU lawyer as a nominee.)

The segment ended with Russert asking Durbin about his comment comparing American personnel at Gitmo to "Nazis, Soviets in their gulags, or some mad regime—Pol Pot or others —that had no concern for human beings."

Russert's question: Is that the biggest mistake you ever made in your life?

Durbin said that it wasn't, but it was probably the most visible one. He said that he left himself wide open to his critics by using the terms he did. Durbin contended that the issue of abuse is still important. He seemed to be saying that he regretted that the poor treatment of detainees at the hands of Americans was lost in the uproar.

Then, it was roundtable time.

Predictably, with the likes of Nina Totenberg and David Gregory on the panel, Karl Rove's name came up. Blah, blah, blah...

If it's Sunday, it's promote the Left.