Mrs. Alito's Little 15 Minutes Of Fame
Published January 12, 2006
The truth of the matter is that the line of questioning by the Senate Judiciary Committee for Judge Alito was not very tough, and the over-reaction of Alito's wife is more theater than substance. In the past 20 years we have witnessed much harsher and more direct questioning of a nominee, and so one must view this little episode in the context of the times.
We do not know why anyone would volunteer to sit in those horrible chairs hour after hour, looking adoringly at the nominee at one moment, and mystified at legal arguments the next moment. To use your spouse as a political token seems cheap, but that is what took place here. And maybe she wanted only to be there on the opening day, but was urged to be there everyday for the visual image it created on television. If Alito's views on marriage are anything like his views on legal matters, I am probably right on target.
As I watched her little 15 minutes of fame yesterday, I thought of State Representative Betty Jo Nelson, the Minority Leader of the Wisconsin State Assembly, who told the Legislature many years back that the December session was running too late into the month. She insisted she should be home making Christmas cookies. The image of strong, self-contained, and purposeful women took a slam on the floor of the State Assembly, and again yesterday in front of a nation.
No one can live in such a secluded world that she doesn't understand that when your spouse is selected for a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court, some very serious questions and examinations are going to follow. No objective viewer who watched the hearings could say that the Democrats were too aggressive. In fact I would argue that they were far too compliant and once again occupied the spongy center rather than standing on principle.
The majority of the country, when polled on the questions that concern them, will find Alito's views running counter to the national mood. Democrats would be in a much better position this morning if they understood that many Americans are tired of where our country is right now, and where it continues to be led by this careless Bush administration. Alito is just one more piece of their attempts to undermine our country, and in his case, undermine the United States Constitution.
There are many who yearn for someone to stop the craziness and tell it like it is! In the real political world this nominee was never in trouble. He was (and is) going to the bench, so the only victory that could be made was for Democrats at least to stand up strongly for the principles that made our country great.
They whimpered out, and yet the GOP was able to score points by asserting Democrats 'made' a woman sob. Give me a break!
- Mrs. Alito's Little 15 Minutes Of Fame
- Published: January 12, 2006
- Type: Opinion
- Section: Politics
- Filed Under: Books: News, Books: Politics and Affairs
- Writer: allendrury
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Comments on this articleComments
Interesting post - there's very little difference, and has rarely been, between theater and politics
She actually started crying during a question by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham when he asked Alito if he was a closet bigot. I'm not sure if the GOP scored any "points" on that or not.
Scott, Lindsey Grahm was being facetious in an attempt to point out what assholes the Dems had been in thier line of questioning.
Well, that logic doesn't follow Bing. You don't get GOP points either.
Sure it does because it is the truth Scott.
That's exactly how it went down Scott.
Lindsey Graham has been Alito's lapdog since well before the hearings, when he coached him. And he's certainly been fawning all over the man during the hearings themselves.
Well, Bing, that's not really how it went down or the truth but whatever. There's no point in going back and forth about it. Plus, I realize you lean right so you really don't care about and have no use for the truth anyway.
Baaa-zinggg!
Oh snap, son.
I agree that a spouse of a politician should expect slings and arrows, and that his/her personal reaction shouldn't sway the decision, but I'm not a fan of the Democrats.
I agree that a spouse of a politician should expect slings and arrows, and that his/her personal reaction shouldn't sway the decision, but I'm not a fan of the Democrats.
But what does that mean, Sister Ray? That you'd have been okay with it if the Republicans had been the aggressor?
Senator Graham asked a very pointed question. Mrs. Alito cried just thinking about the insinuation that her husband was a bigot. I can understand the tears. It's not really a Democrat or Republican thing. I don't think anyone "scored points" over it.
just a note... if the "national mood" is anti-bush... why did he get re-elected? the mood hasn't really changed since then.
Take the issues of spying on Americans, the Iraq war, abortion, or any other in a long series of topics and find out where the public is on those matters and contrast that with the policies coming from the White House.
Many factors go into the selection of a President, and if you think they all revolve around the issues that confrot the 'winner' I would suggest a trip to a library.
You don't think the mood has changed since November of 2004, Greg? Were you asleep this year?
Michael, I didn't word that very well. I meant to say that I generally support Alito, and lean more to the Rebuplican side of the scale (actually libertarian).
But I'm not upset with the questioning because, "They made his wife cry, the meanies!" Tough questioning is part of the process.
Sister Ray....
I didn't see tough questioning coming from Kennedy.
I saw a blatant attempt to assissante Alito's character on baseless grounds.
Plus, I realize you lean right so you really don't care about and have no use for the truth anyway.
So, this doesn't qualify as the kind "personal attack" prohibited in the comments?
The Mood really hasnt changed since 2004. The Libs are still licking their collective wounds. The majority still dont care how springsteen and Ben Affleck feel. The Red sox are back where they belong New England had its 15-minutes. The New York Times and the L.A. Times are still in the most Liberal places in the Nation, Hence out of step with the majority of Americans.
As a wife and mother I can understand why Mrs. Alito got upset.She knows her husband better than anyone and knows he is not a bigot. She knew there would be tough questions but when Kenndy accused her husband of being a bigot over and over again it was more than she could take. I think its funny that the Dems let Kenndy be there spokes person for rights of women and moral issues. I seem to remember a young girl he left in a lake because he was drunk and drove off a bridge. That is real pro womens rights were was her justice he never spent one day in jail for that. Ted Kenndy has no creditablity when it comes to morals or womens rights. If his last name was not Kenndy then he would have went to jail. He left Mary Jo in the lake while he ran off to plan his excuse. Sam Alito has more honesty and intergity in his little finger than Kenndy has in whole big fat body.
"So, this doesn't qualify as the kind "personal attack" prohibited in the comments?"
Your mama
Well lets see there was no prove of what Kenndy said about Alito being a bigot ever found. It is however very much public about what Teddy did to that poor girl. It't not a personal attack it is the cold hard truth. Why do think Kenndy never became president. No one not even liberals wanted a man like Ted Kenndy running our country.
The fact is that this crying jag was planned. The Dems had the top evening news story with Alito under fire for his lapse of judgement over the sexist, anti-gay etc. organization he belonged to, but had no memory of. But did you notice what led the evening news after the Tammy-Faye moment?
Having worked in politics and broadcast journalism for 25 years I know hi-jinks when I see it. I have helped create some too. And be happy, your GOP friends won that round.
My GOP friends??? You assume a lot for an elitist ass!
You think because I question your BULLSHIT that makes me a republican?
I'd almost bet your eyes are brown...'cause you're full of shit up to your eyebrows!
I always love your kind that fall back on using the term elitist. I know it is one of the buzz words in the 'talking points' but just because it is repeated does not make it valid, much less a fact. You probally only eat freedom fries too!
I only used it because I saw you WHINING about it on another thread...it obviously bothers you! Probably because it's true!
I personally try to avoid foods cooked in oil...
like I said...keep making your assumptions...
you're a typical elitist LIBERAL who believes that who ever ain't with ya...must be against ya...I'm just against BULLSHIT...in all colors!
And the fact that you've worked in politics for so long proves that you're full of shit! It ain't possible to work in politics and NOT be full of shit! But of course, you'll probably try to tell us that you're one of the only ones left in politics with any morals or ethics...right?
I always love "your kind" too. I'll have to look in the archives for your stelar review of all the Michael Moore films that I'm sure are out there...
What great story there was nothing to it. The Dems could not a find a paper or receipt or anything on Alito thats the news flash. I have never been a journalist did you say that you know hi-jinks and that you helped create them sometimes. You know I can believe that some of the stuff you hear on the news I bet alot of it is created by people just like you.
Well to say that because I care enough about America to work in government, having gave up chances to make more money in the private sector, means that I am full of it really is a most remarkable statement.
It would be akin to a blanket statement that a jet figher degrades women and only can fight someone when they have a bomb to drop on old men and children.
For the record I was a journlist for a decade prior to my working in government and politics.
The funny thing about all you GOPers is that what the terrorists could never destroy on 9/11 you are all too happy to give away and have destroyed by Bush and Company. And they are more than happy to do it. Meanwhile the jar-neck world seems utterly content. A truly sad state of affairs.
You're under the impression that I'm happy with this president and the way he's run things...you ARE mistaken. You're also under the impression that I'm a "GOPer" as you call it...mistaken again!
Now it's government...before it was politics. Make up your mind! Do you work in politics...or do you do something constructive for a living?
You claim to "know" something that you can't possibly know. Based on the fact that you yourself had been involved in something similar in your own line of work as, either a politician or a member of the media. Well, if that is indeed a fact, then shame on you! and just because you're a deceitful government fuck doesn't mean that Sam Alito is!
Well there is an intersection between working in government and being involved in politics. I worked in a legislators office. I would have just posted all this info in one neat paragraph instead of bit by bit but I had no reason to think it vital.
As for for your claim not be a GOP'er I laugh! If you are not sure of your positions just review your own writings/rants in your own blog! Know thyself!
You talk about doing something 'constructive' for a living...this from a jet fighter pilot!
I really don't appreciate this attack on Mr. and Mrs. Alito.
This was no act of fame or attention or anything else. It was even the bullshit repitive questioning either. It was the touching apology that her husband received from Senator Graham. This emotional moment from Mrs. Alito just shows me the love she has for her husband.
jet fighter pilot? Where the fuck did you get that?
I see you have a bit of a drug problem too...you should share so everyone can have your delusions!
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MMMMM if you think Ted Kennedy is more representative of the American public than Sam Alito then you're the crazy one.