Roberts, Abortion and Confirmation--Oh My.

I've said all along that Republicans will never overturn Roe because it's bad for their political future. Of course I've never said they wouldn't let 'something happen' to Roe, the way nasty parents let something happen to a kid's irksome pet ("Oh my, how did Felisha the Ferret get out that door?") but by what means they would accomplish that accidental death, I could never predict.

I think Roberts could be the kind of nice guy who just lets the door open, but this editorial makes a strategic point I hadn't thought of--why not use Roberts to expose the opposition's weakest political link, abortion itself:

Republicans have been brilliant strategists in their use of wedge issues in campaigns against Democrats. Now, with most Americans in support of the 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision that essentially legalized abortion in America, Democrats may be in a position to use the wedge strategy themselves.

--snip--

There are a number of different issues on which Democrats will quiz Roberts, but it’s the abortion issue that truly stands behind the matter of his confirmation.

A week ago on the NBC news program Meet the Press, moderator Tim Russert set the stage this way: "President Bill Clinton was very clear as a candidate ... that he would only appoint people to the court who would uphold Roe vs. Wade. Why don’t Republicans step forward and say, ‘We’re going to put people on the bench who are going to overturn Roe vs. Wade?’"

Former New York Times columnist William Safire responded with the essence of simplicity: "Because that would be foolish politically, and I think there’s a lot of practicality going on."

Since he first came on the national scene, President Bush has been cagey about his view of legal abortion. Although he’s expressed his view that he’s opposed to it, he’s stopped short of actually calling for an outright ban.

-snip-

But there’s a reality that Bush understands: most polls show Americans largely in favor of abortion rights.

When you know your parents are plotting against your favorite pet, you ensure you have the only key to a very thick lock on the cage...