Ah, you have to love the Boston Globe...wait a minute, no you don't

[whometense]

I'll start with the comment from the http://chimesatmidnight.blogspot.com/2005/09/scot-lehigh.html">Chimes at Midnight:

Scot Lehigh takes Senators Kerry and Kennedy to task for their pending votes against Supreme Court nominee John Roberts.

His thesis seems to be, that if the President's political machine incites vague rumors as to the moderation of their judicial nominee, then our Senators have no choice but to go along like good pantry boys and vote for Roberts.

This despite Roberts' remarkably close mouthed performance before the Senate Judiciary Committee and his long history as a shyster for various praetorian causes.

Nope...when a President renowned for his sneakiness and duplicity points someone out as a moderate...Scot Lehigh just sighs like a teenybopper and believes.

As I've said before, its not that Scot is a neocon and a praetorian camp follower, for these are common things among the punditariat....no it is his sheer mindless credulity that drives me crazy.

Romney give him an exclusive interview, tosses Scot a few moldy press releases and voila' Mitt is On the Job As Our Alert and Engaged Governor!

Ditto Bush and Roberts...a few blast faxes from deep in the heart of DC and Lehigh waddles over to his computer to tap out a ritual denunciation of our senatorial delegations.

Honestly Scot doesn't have a shred of judgement when it comes to the praetorian class...the man's writing style calls to mind a tenderfoot Boy Scout getting prepped for his first snipe hunt.

[whometense]

1. Scot Lehigh

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2005/09/23/kerry_and_kennedy_misfire/

HOW SHOULD Senate Democrats respond to the example Ted Kennedy and John Kerry set Wednesday in declaring their opposition to John Roberts in a one-two political punch?

By disregarding it...

I won't quote any more, but let's just say that with the blessed exception of the wonderful Tom Oliphant, the Globe columnists just keep on churning out the same garbage about Kerry they've been giving us since time began. They ascribe to him the most cynical motives possible, and then back up their unfounded opinions by not listening to a word he's saying (he just talks too much, dontcha know.) Too much hard work.

[Mass]

2. The Globe endorsed Roberts as well

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2005/09/19/robertss_qualities/

[whometense]

3. It's true

that he appears to be even-tempered, etc. I have nothing to lose by saying that I'm firmly in the kneejerk camp. Anything and anyone Bush is for I'm pretty much against. I feel that events have proven that to be a rational stance.

I'd modify it to say that doesn't go for the things Bush says he supports but then abandons once the cameras are turned off. Anything he supports with actual action seems to pretty much turn to shit.

Edited to add: This is one of those times I would be totally delighted to be proved wrong. If Roberts turns out to be a moderate I'll be thrilled.

But Roberts qualifications aside, recent hearings have set a horrible precedent, with the withholding of records the senators ought to have a chance to review. I think that fact alone justifies a no vote on Roberts.

[TayTay]

4. Lehigh is a conservative.

And the Globe is all over the map on Kerry. Lehigh trumpeted Kerry in April when the false Gay Marraige argument came up. Lehigh sees the future of the Dem Party as being firmly in the center and as trumpeting center issues. Kerry did not do what Lehigh wanted, so he sees Kerry as sliding into LiberalLand. I disagree. But this is where Lehigh is coming from.

Oliphant was right, Lehigh wants a more pliable politician who is tacking middle. None of these assessments are exactly right at the moment. This is kind of to be expected. The Globe endorsed Roberts and both MA senators ignored them. The Globe's feelings were hurt.