the ever more mysterious Democratic Party

[Franck, Matthew J]

Let me go back to Sandy's initial query: why would Sen. Leahy not pursue
a filibuster, or any other measure within his power, to oppose "a
nomination that I fear threatens the fundamental rights and liberties of
all Americans now and for generations to come"?  Or is it mere hyperbole
on Leahy's part?

 

I think it is clearly the latter, but there is conscious hyperbole on
the one hand, and what we might call unconscious hyperbole on the other.
Since Sen. Leahy has never, to my knowledge, advanced even a plausible
argument, let alone a persuasive one, regarding the substance of the
"fundamental rights and liberties" about which he is so exercised, I
think either one of two things must be the case.  Either he simply
doesn't believe what he says, and is pandering to people whose hearts
will flutter to hear that Leahy shares their fears.  Or Leahy is truly
fearful himself, but he knows not of what exactly, and cannot articulate
an argument about those fears.  Neither possibility is flattering to the
senator, but I do not see a third one that holds water.

 

Matt

***************************
Matthew J. Franck
Professor and Chairman
Department of Political Science
Radford University
P.O. Box 6945
Radford, VA 24142-6945
phone 540-831-5854
fax 540-831-6075
e-mail mfranck at radford.edu <BLOCKED::mailto:mfranck at radford.edu> 
www.radford.edu/~mfranck
<BLOCKED::http://www.radford.edu/~mfranck> ***************************

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