The Alito Hearings

Mark Steyn on Hugh Hewitt's show:

I think the Senate has passed beyond parody now. I would love somebody to do a reality TV show, like Survivor, where you drop someone in the United States Senate, and they have to see how much questioning they can stand by the Senate Judiciary Committee, before they flee the island.

Ted Kennedy is turning into a snarling Mr. Potter right before our eyes. He congratulated Alito for backing off from his earlier hatred of women and minorities. This is the famous "When did you stop beating your wife?" kind of "question." It's tendentious, stating facts not in evidence. He got away with this when he attacked Robert Bork with his description of "Bork's America" but this time he just looks like a bigot himself. He's a bully boy, but in a match of wits, he's unarmed.

Pat Leahy seems to be drifting off into senescence, droning on and on, making the listener forget what he was talking about. He seemed to be reminiscing about other confirmation hearings back in the good old days, when he could still hunt.

Joe Biden is just annoying. Mark Steyn describes him as "an undisciplined lounge act" who "never knows when to stop." I was reminded of the smarmy characters Bill Murray on SNL or Eric Idle were so good at. I could really imagine Biden sidling up to you and doing the old nudge and wink. The others at least have the courtesy to read their statement/questions. His "uhs", "ums" and constant fumbling trying to find words makes George Bush look absolutely loquacious. As I wrote to Hugh the other night, Joe Biden is the Cowbell and the "famed producer Bruce Dickinson" of the Senate and he never thinks there's enough of his own voice. But he's excruciating to listen to.

The Democratic Party is in serious trouble. If I were advising them, I'd tell them not to participate in any more of these confirmation hearings, unless they've got another Robert Bork to joust with. Roberts and Alito, in Rich Lowry's words, make me proud to be a conservative.