Now that battle lines are being drawn, perhaps the Party hat folks can begin to understand that NARAL was not so foolish to throw money at Republicans like Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman (and pro-choice Republican) Arlen Specter. There's no telling what Specter will do, and I see no reason to feel confident that he'll vote his conscience and not just Party-line, but right now the Democrats are looking a little wobbly, too.

Meanwhile, the right wing is banging the culture-war drums. People for the American Way have shared some lowlights they've found....

Right Wing Takes Credit

Matt Lewis, who has served as director of grassroots for the Leadership Institute, as well as political director for GOPAC, writes on the Human Events blog: “His very nomination proves that when conservatives become active, you and I can make a difference. Blogs, letters to the editor, and calls to your Congressman . . . can change history. Conservatives have arrived at a point where we can flex our muscles -- not just in campaigns -- but also during public policy fights. It's been a long time coming. Now, let's fight.�

Calling on Christians to Support Culture War



The National Clergy Council says “Judge Alito has a proven track record of respect for the original intent of the framers of the constitution when it comes to the sanctity of life, the sanctity of marriage, and the public acknowledgment of God. We are calling on Christian people of every tradition to pray for Judge Alito and the members of the US Senate as the confirmation process begins, and for the future of the Supreme Court."

Priests for Life “thanked President Bush this morning for acting swiftly to announce a nominee for the Supreme Court,� saying “We welcome the debate over 'conservative values.' The nation is in a culture war, and there's no need to hide that fact.�

Frum Declares “Perfect Pick�

David Frum, the man who more or less led the charge against Harriet Miers, says “President Bush has made a perfect pick for the Supreme Court in Samuel Alito. There may be a fight over this nomination, but it is a fight that will unite conservatives in support of the president and his fine choice. And in the end, it is a fight that conservatives will win. A great day.�

President Calling the Democrats “Bluff�

Matthew Franck, writing on the “Bench Memos� blog says “George W. Bush has effectively said, 'bring it on!' Now the question is, will they bring it? Will Democratic senators do the bidding of their party's activist groups in sufficient numbers to cause Alito's nomination any serious trouble or even mildly bothersome delay? I don't think so. I think it has largely been bluff and bluster, and the president has called the bluff.�

The Committee for Justice hopes that Alito's nomination will be taken up “quickly, with the sort of dignified proceeding appropriate to the confirmation process. . . . The process should not focus on ideology or on the association of particular Supreme Court positions with ideological or demographic characteristics of those who have held the position before ... We need to decide whether to keep believing that criminals, terrorists, enemy combatants and illegal aliens have more rights than law abiding citizens who love and respect the American way of life."

On the “Fast Track� to Derailing Roe

Operation Rescue says “Roe's Days Are Numbered … We believe that this nomination may fulfill Bush's promise to appoint Justices in the mold of Scalia and Thomas … We are trusting that we are now on the fast-track to derailing Roe v. Wade as the law of the land.�

Right-Wing Welcomes the Ugly Fight Promised by Alito Nomination



Tony Snow said he likes Alito as much as he disliked Miers. "Bush screwed up with the Miers nomination,� Snow said. "A Supreme Court nomination is not for the faint of heart – it’s not an honor for nice people who bake a nice pie. By selecting Alito, the president shows that he has learned that this is not a time to run from a fight. It’s time to challenge everyone and their principles. "Prepare for an ugly fight in the Senate Judiciary Committee,� Snow predicted. "Let’s welcome that fight.�

Dobson 'Extremely Pleased' by Alito Nomination

Regarding Samuel Alito’s nomination to the Supreme Court, James Dobson of Focus on the Family Action states "Perhaps the most encouraging early indication that Judge Alito will make a great justice is that liberal senators such as Harry Reid and Charles Schumer and leftist pressure groups such as People for the American Way and Planned Parenthood have been lining up all day to scream that the sky is falling. Any nominee who so worries the radical left is worthy of serious consideration.�

Diversity Not Desired in Society or Needed on the Court



Christians Reviving America's Values President Dan Swarthout said, "We need someone on the US Supreme Court who stands for the true principles of America and applies them with common sense. In fact, I think most of America would agree that it is time for our nation to stop our tolerance for diversity programs that are detrimental to our nation.�

And speaking out the other sides of their mouths:

Progress for America has already launched “JudgeAlito.com� and says “Although some liberal extremists will inevitably urge Senate Democrats to obstruct Judge Alito's nomination, they should set bitter partisanship aside. No one can argue that Judge Alito is anything but extremely well qualified for the Court and his unanimous confirmation to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals will undermine any attempt by liberals to argue that he is a ideologue.�

The Judicial Confirmation Network, which was all but silent regarding the Miers nomination, came out strongly in favor of Alito: “The President has obviously chosen based on objective merit. Judge Alito is the best, in terms of legal credentials, judicial experience, intellectual ability, fairmindedness, and faithfulness to the Constitution and the role of the Court as a neutral and nonpolitical branch of government … It is absurd, given his record and the Senate's history with him, for any Democrat to suggest that Judge Alito is somehow now worthy of being filibustered to block him from the Supreme Court."

Right Wing Mentions Alito’s Faith — to Warn Others Not to Mention it

Fidelis praises the Alito nomination and goes out of its way to mention his faith just so that it can warn others not to mention his faith: “Judge Alito is likely to spark a robust debate about the Constitution and the proper role of a judge and the courts. We welcome this debate and believe it to be a healthy exercise for the country. Given the likelihood of a vigorous debate, we remain steadfast in our insistence upon a fair and dignified process free of any attack on Judge Alito's Catholic faith and personal beliefs.�

So he's the champion of authoritarian dominionist doctrine to lead a holy war against the rest of us, or he's a moderate who's not a partisan or an ideologue. Which do you think is the honest sentiment?Take your pick. And get ready to hear both messages in the same breath.

[Links to originals, which don't need any props from me, are at the PFAW site]

About author

media girl also blogs at other places.