Secret strategy of the Democrats

American Spectator's Washington Prowler has a write up on the Democrats' strategy towards the replacement for Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court.  They'll try to drag out hearings long enough to find some way to make the claim that whoever it is, is out of the mainstream.  If some opinion poll somewhere suggests the public might be buying in to their ludicrous arguments, they'll filibuster.  I wonder if they think they're playing this one very close to the vest.

"If we can frame the arguments with a real impact on real Americans, in language that they understand, we can win this thing," says a Democratic staffer on the Judiciary Committee, who says he is unaware of plans for a filibuster.

And what language might that be, do you suppose?  Well, English of course, but beyond that, the question is, how much talking down will they have to do to get "real Americans" to "understand".  Tough chore.  You know those Red Staters aren't so quick on the uptake.

Should things fall in place, the Democrats will use Senators, some of them not serving on the Judiciary Committee, media coordinated by third party groups, such as People for the American Way and MoveOn.org, to make a multi-pronged case that whoever President Bush nominates is out of the mainstream of American life. It's an argument they attempted early on in the Roberts nomination, but it fell on deaf ears once the media began replaying Roberts' story and focusing on his brilliant academic and professional career.

"There is no question that we are doing this to try to peel some of the 'Gang of 14' away for a filibuster fight. We want it, and just like Bush's base wants a conservative, our base wants us to filibuster, so let the games begin," says a Democratic National Committee staffer. "Things may change if there is a Hispanic or an African-American put up, but really, we're going to fight it no matter who it is."

So.  If they manage to gain some traction with the dolts from Kansas, we can expect a media blitz from MoveOn.org and People for the American Way.  I suspect this will immediately destroy whatever support they gained with the Red State folks, but it will put big time pressure on lefty Senators to oppose the nominee "no matter who it is".  And that's what they want.  Damn near any kind of opinion poll will work as an excuse to filibuster.  It's no secret that this crowd's idea of the "American way" doesn't encompass abiding by election results.  But then, isn't that what the battle is all about. 

Democrats have been struggling for years now, trying to convince voting Americans that theirs is the better governing philosophy.  Well, we know the results.  They've been forced to abandon the Democratic process for implementing their policies.   It's those "real Americans", the dolts from Kansas.  They're having such a difficulty time grasping the wisdom of Democratic policy preferences.  Solution:  Bypass them altogether and go straight for the courts.  Hence the importance of these confirmation hearings.

The Democrats seek justices who subscribe to the outcome based judicial philosophy.  They'd prefer a candidate who will rule according to current liberal fads in social justice.  I hear European law is quite popular these days.  The U.S. Constitution is so restictive, you know.  Who needs all that law stuff, anyway, when all we have to do is be fair about things. 

If our anonymous staffers can be believed, a filibuster is coming.  And won't that be entertaining! I can see Senator Frist calling for a vote on Senate rules -- the nuclear option.  But what then?  Will all the chamber doors have to be locked to maintain a quorum?  I'm betting the Democrats will head for Oklahoma. 

Whatever they do,this should be great fun.  Ah, the Democrats.  How many ways can a national party find to look and be so pathetic?

Update:  With his selection of Harriet Miers as Associate Justice to the Supreme Court, Bush has let the Democrats off the hook.  Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid likes her.  How disappointing.  I don't see the Democrats mounting any kind of a fight with their party leadership in favor of the nomination.  The right side of the blogosphere is in severe distress, and although I'm one of them I can't say I feel their pain.  Right along I've been impressed with the decisions Bush has made.  I suspect I will be with this one too, but only time will tell. 

Update II:  Thomas Lifson at American Thinker takes the same view as I do on the Miers nomination.  His analysis has a lot more meat on it, though.