They're Not Supposed To Be Pleased

Though some self-styled conservatives recently forgot this, it's important to note that the Left really shouldn't be thrilled with your Supreme Court nominations. It's part of how you know you're getting it right.

Harry Reid and other Dems were thrilled with Harriet Miers, which should've been the first alarm bell. All is now right with the world, because they hate Sam Alito.

A sampling:

Reid has changed his tune a little:

This appointment ignores the value of diverse backgrounds and perspectives on the Supreme Court. The president has chosen a man to replace Sandra Day O'Connor, one of only two women on the court. For the third time, he has declined to make history by nominating the first Hispanic to the court.

Yes, it took some reminding, but President Bush today remembered that he's a Republican, Harry. With the exception of a disturbing three week period in October, conservatives don't play affirmative action identity politics.

The ever-vacuous Dahlia Lithwick from Slate magazine fumes:

In the true spirit of Halloween, a month of vicious attacks from the right has been papered over, and this nomination is dressed up as if the last one never occurred.

So rededicated is President Bush to keeping his promise to elevate a Clarence Thomas or an Antonin Scalia to the high court, that he picked the guy in the Scalia costume. Alito offers no surprises to anyone.

No suprises. Yes! Somebody finally gets it. Meanwhile, Chucky Schumer says:

It is sad that the president felt he had to pick a nominee likely to divide America instead of choosing a nominee in the mold of Sandra Day O'Connor, who would unify us.

Oops, Planned Parenthood doesn't like him either. Says interim president Karen Pearl:

Judge Alito would undermine basic reproductive rights, and Planned Parenthood will oppose his confirmation. It is outrageous that President Bush would replace a moderate conservative like Justice O'Connor with a conservative hardliner.

Am I the only one glad to see that the president has gone back to the much more successful political tactic of outraging his political enemies?

But has Alito ever been associated with the dastardly (gasp!) Federalist Society? Yup--he's a member. It just doesn't get any better than this.