I mentioned yesterday that Bill Frist is under fire from all sides for his role in an upcoming Family Research Council conference that will slander Dems by arguing their filibusters against Bush judicial nominees is driven by anti-Christian bigotry. Dems are apoplectic, Republicans are a little uncomfortable, several Jewish groups are offended, and editorial boards are worked up.
So, what’s Frist’s response to the uproar he’s created? It’s pretty amusing, actually.
In response, Frist spokesman Bob Stevenson accused Democrats of a “clear double standard.” He said they failed to speak out last fall when their presidential candidate, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., campaigned against President Bush at a Baptist church.
“Now, as they prepare to continue their unprecedented filibuster against the president’s judicial nominations, they criticize the leader for agreeing to deliver a similar address pressing for fair treatment of the president’s judicial nominees,” Stevenson said.
You see, Frist’s spokesperson is trying to say John Kerry appeared at a church for a political speech, so there’s nothing wrong with Bill Frist appearing at a church for a political speech. He’s accusing Dems of a “double standard” because speeches at churches should be an equal-opportunity political tactic.
All of which leads me to ask: Is Frist’s office intentionally playing dumb or is it really that confused?
Since the controversy over Frist’s participation in the “Justice Sunday” event first broke last week, I haven’t found a single critic — literally, not one — that has challenged Frist over the event’s location. In other words, no one cares that this is being held at a church. Frist’s defense — that John Kerry once delivered a political speech in a church — makes absolutely no sense.
The problem is that “Justice Sunday” is the latest in a string of reckless attacks on the federal judiciary, coupled by the fact that the event itself is vaguely pro-theocracy and slandering Dems for principled opposition to unqualified judges. It doesn’t matter if the event is in a church, a Wal-Mark parking lot, or the Rose Bowl; it’s the substance that’s scandalous, not its venue.
I suspect Frist and his spokesperson know this, but couldn’t think of a better response to dealing with the Majority Leader’s seriously flawed judgment. Regardless, this is a sad display — they’re paid political professionals; this is the best defense they can come up with?
Note to Frist: If you can’t spin the appearance then you probably shouldn’t make the appearance.