Unbeknownst to many of us, “Christian” (i.e., right wing Christian) news services have sprouted up all over the place: on TV, on radio and on the internet. Millions of people get their news from these sources. We know that the Alito nomination is big news on progressive blogs, but the story is just as important to the Christian right on the web. Here’s a few of the stories several online Christian news sites have headlined:
From Crosswalk.com a story about how a filibuster of Alito would be unprecedented:
Democrats Urged to Avoid ‘Extreme’ Measures on Alito
Susan Jones
Senior Editor(CNSNews.com) – A filibuster of Supreme Court nominee Sam Alito would be “unprecedented” and might prompt a public backlash, warned Ed Gillespie, the former Republican National Committee chairman who is shepherding Alito through his confirmation hearings.
This story goes on to paint Senate Democrats (specifically Senator Schumer of NY) as unreasonable and extreme in their demands regarding the questions Alito should have to answer at his hearing. I note, in passing, that Senator Schumer may be the only Democrat quoted in this story because he is both a liberal Senator from NY, and also a Jew. You can draw your own conclusions as to why no other Democratic Senator was quoted.
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In Agape Press we are informed that Senate Democrats have been warned not to engage in “Catholic bashing” during the Alito hearings:
More on the flip side . . .
The group Human Life International has sent a press release to Senate Democrats, warning them that it will not tolerate what the group calls “Catholic bashing” during the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito. HLI director Thomas Eutenheur explains why he expects Democrats will resort to the tactic in their questioning of the nominee. “[B]ecause there was a good bit of Catholic bashing sort of dressed up as sophistication and real concern about the future of America in the [John] Roberts hearings,” he says, referring to confirmation hearings late last year for the eventual chief justice of the high court. Eutenheur points to Democratic Senators Charles Schumer and Richard Durbin as the ringleaders of that anti-Catholic attack. “We’re just anticipating that that’s going to happen,” he says, “and we’re trying to get out there and say we’re not going to tolerate that.” Other pro-Catholic organizations are also spreading the word that such attacks will be remembered by voters when they go to the polls the next time.
So be careful Senate Democrats, and especially you Senator Schumer. Your Catholic constituents will be watching, so you’d better be properly respectful of that good Catholic man, Judge Samuel Alito.
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CBN News warns its readers that the hearings may be the most contentious in history, and prominently quotes Alito defenders, including President Bush:
“My hope, of course, is that the Senate brings dignity to the process and gives this man a fair hearing,” Bush said, “and an up-or-down vote on the Senate floor. Sam, good luck to you.”
It may be the most intense Supreme Court confirmation hearings since Robert Bork was voted down two decades ago. The conservative Alito would replace the moderate Sandra Day O’Connor, possibly shifting the court to the right for decades to come.
. . . Liberal groups are calling him ‘outside the mainstream,’ something Republican Senator John Cornyn dismisses. “This is not a person who’s outside the mainstream,” Cornyn insisted. “He may be outside the liberal mainstream, which is the main complaint of some of the outside groups who are pressuring Democrat senators to filibuster and oppose this nomination.”
. . . He may not be as polished as a former Supreme Court nominee, Chief Justice John Roberts, who came before him, but in a way, Alito has been preparing for this day his whole life.
In his high school yearbook, it says right by his picture, “Sam intends to go to law school and eventually to warm a seat on the Supreme Court.”
Good to see Bush still believes in an “up or down” vote for his Supreme Court nominees after Harriet Meirs’ experience. And nice to see Scalito is thisclose to having his high school dream come true. Oh and “bringing dignity to the process” means “Better not filibuster if you know what’s good for you, Dems.”
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Christian News Headlines links to this Washinton Post story, “Expert Witness: Activist Lawyer Jan LaRue Is Carrying A Banner for Sam Alito in a Battle That’s as Personal as It Is Political”:
Jan LaRue is not your usual Washington political commando or Ivy League-trained insider. She is not your power-suit-wearing, dinner-party-schmoozing, headline-grabbing Beltway operator.
What she is, though, is a street fighter — a Christian one, armed with a law degree. Lately, LaRue has been battling over the future of the Supreme Court. That war returns to prime time today with the start of the Senate confirmation hearings for Samuel A. Alito.
In conservative circles, LaRue, chief counsel for Concerned Women for America, is known for her legal acumen, assertion of principles over politics, and debating style, which has been described as fierce, tough and even ruthless. LaRue likes to say she believes in being direct without being brutal.
Not surprising that they would link to a WaPO puff piece on a lawyer for the Concerned Women for America.
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I leave you with this headline from The Chritian Post:
Bush Says Americans Will Be ‘Impressed’ by Alito; Nation Looks to Fair Hearings
Fair hearings indeed.
Tomorrow: “Christian” News’ reaction to Alito’s first day before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
