I think its more than vetting though -- unless you're vetting for "completely lacking any legal philosophy" (which, you certainly could be).

A good judge, even one who disagrees with me on every topic under the sun is going to parse a case to a level of scholarly minutae which, in the course of a lifetime appointment, can certainly lead him/her to a conclusion that the guy who appointed him/her wouldn't like.

I suppose the other thing you could vet for is "will take bribes", because otherwise its hard to influence someone who has reached the top of their field and cannot be fired.

You could get a chimp like that past Congress (and I suppose there are arguments that they have) but you'd have to do it a couple of times to cause permanant damage.

I don't know anything about supreme court justices, but I like Bill Richardson for the simple fact that he is like the Pillsbury Dough Boy in politician format. I just look at him and think, "tee hee!"

There's just something about his face. A Richardson presidency would be the most cheerful four years in the history of the universe.

Didn't the great Samuel L. make a movie called 187, or something-187? I think he played a substitute teacher.

Yep. Samuel L. made 187. I seem to remember him playing a teacher and a substitute teacher in the movie. I think I own that movie, maybe I'll pull it out and watch it again today.

Allyson, the photos were wonderful! I love the one of Gavin and his reflection.

I don't feeeeeel good. I can't even tell why not -- I have a little bit of a headache, a little bit of congestion, but I just generally feel crappy all over. Bleh!

I'm getting a lot more election stuff at home since Bob is here for a bit and a politics junkie. FWIW after hearing Obama's speech after the Iowa caucuses I've become a lot more interested in the Democratic race-- his speech was a real game-changer. I was talking to a colleague of mine about it who said he was just going to stick his head in the sand for the next 10 months, and I mentioned that the speech was really spinetingling, though I couldn't give any details. By the end of the day, he charged into my office shouting, "We are not Red States! We are not Blue States! We are the United States!" and saying he was going to do whatever possible to get Obama elected.

Of course, last night there was a Clinton/Obama exchange of "It's not about words, it's about experience"/"Words do matter -- people need to be inspired."

Wow that must have been quite the speech. Ever since "read my lips, no new taxes" I don't believe anything a politician says during a campaign. I feel like the candidate's mind-set tends to be whatever it takes to get elected.

Of course, last night there was a Clinton/Obama exchange of "It's not about words, it's about experience"/"Words do matter -- people need to be inspired."

That wasn't the only time she hit on the theme of "speeches don't matter." Incidentally the debate is going on behind me, since Bob is watching CNN.

"We are not Red States! We are not Blue States! We are the United States!" and saying he was going to do whatever possible to get Obama elected.

That's exactly how I felt after his speech at the 2004 convention.

I think she's right, though -- especially if we're headed into a recession, and someone's still got to deal with Iraq, etc., I think at this point I'd rather see Hillary in there. At least she's used to being unpopular!