On Alito

Courtesy of DailyKos, I read this exchange on CNN between Wolf Blitzer and Judge Robert Bork, who might have been the last Supreme Court candidate to speak honestly during confirmation hearings, and it cost him a seat on the court -- fortunately. In any case, this is Bork on Alito:

BLITZER: Here's what Samuel Alito said about you, back in 1988. Let me put it up on the screen. "I think he - referring to you - was one of the most outstanding nominees of this century.
He is a man of unequaled ability, understanding of constitutional history, someone who had thought deeply throughout his entire life about constitutional issues and about the Supreme Court and the role it ought to play in American society."

He was asked about those remarks on Tuesday. Listen to what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SAMUEL ALITO, SUPREME COURT NOMINEE: When I made that statement in 1988, I was an appointee in the Reagan administration and Judge Bork had been a nominee of the administration, and I had been a supporter of the nomination. I don't think the statement goes beyond that. There are issues with respect to which I probably agree with Judge Bork, and there are a number of issues with which I -- on which I disagree with him.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Very diplomatic answer, I must say. How do you think he handled himself?

BORK: Very well. He's walking away from a lot of things. That was one example.

BLITZER: Including you, right.

BORK: Yes.

BLITZER: So why do you say he handled himself very well?

BORK: The object nowadays is to get confirmed. People will say pretty much -- or avoid saying pretty much in order to get confirmed.

Bork is right about what it takes to get confirmed, and right about Alito. The most contentious moment in Alito's hearing was about his membership in the Concerned Alumni of Princeton Club (CAP) during his years there as a student. He doesn't "remember" now anything about being a part of the club, but when he was applying for a job in the Reagan Justice Department, he listed CAP as one of his past conservative bona fides. This was not the action of a just-out-0f-law school kid who was trying to ingratiate himself with his potential employers. This was the action of a 35 year old lawyer who was trying to ingratiate himself with his potential employers. Either he was proud of his involvement there (and he only listed CAP and the Federalist Society) or he was lying. Either way he was willing to say whatever it took to get the job. And that is what we saw in the SC confirmation hearings.