Bubble Boy — Supreme Court Nomination Edition

July 20, 2005

Before we begin the debate in earnest over John Roberts’ Supreme Court nomination, and his record, philosophy, and temperament, let’s pause to appreciate the White House’s Bubble Boy policies, which were in full effect yesterday.

Each of the last four Supreme Court nominations — two from Clinton, two from the other President Bush — were announced during the day from the White House Rose Garden. Reporters were on hand for the announcements and, que horror, asked questions of the president and the would-be justice.

Last night, true to form, Bush introduced Roberts in prime time. If there were reporters on hand, they were completely silent.

Indeed, the entire day was as carefully orchestrated as, well, a typical Bush event. No questions, no dissent, no problem. Play to the cameras, make the base happy, and throw the opposition off with carefully-coordinated misinformation.

Just the way the president likes it.

and for a position that by definition affords complete political independence, rather than being controlled by handlers, Bush reverted completely to type – a rich white Republican establishment male. No female or African-American or other diversity window-dressing.

  • Control over the message — the one thing Bush does correctly. I knew if we looked long enough we’d find something he does right.

  • I agree with the general premise but I have a quibble with your phrase “true to form” — is Bush actually more likely than any other president to give addresses of any sort at 9pm est? (or 7 or 8.) I always had the impression that Bush gave relatively few evening addresses or press conferences. Not that this contradicts what you were saying — but the general indictment actually needn’t seep into every detail of the specific indictment. (And he wore a suit too! Argh!)

  • I do believe the “true to form” was in relation to his Bubble Boy policies, not to his propensity to give primetime addresses(I don’t know how he ranks in “Primetime Addresses”, but I do know he is at the bottom for presidential press conferences).

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