Wasn't Merrick Garland the only white guy on the short list?

Unfortunately the GOP has seems to have abandoned everything but the challenge part.

Yeah, they don't seem to have a coherent vision for how to address the concerns of their supporters. I think the in-fighting has really paralyzed the party. They don't have a coalition that fits together especially well either and the reaction to the Obama presidency has deepened those fissures.

But maybe it's a deeper issue too. The election of Obama symbolized a fundamental change in the United States. Suddenly the face of America had become multi-ethnic, representing a reality that a lot of people didn't want to accept. I'm thinking that the real uniting force behind the Republican coalition has been Leave it to Beaver -- a sanitized version of the 50s when men were men, women were women, America was prosperous and all-mighty, and we didn't think about minorities. That's what America was supposed to be and the election of Obama shattered the illusion that that's what America could become. I think that is the true core of the Tea Party which formed as a reaction to Obama. It's that dream that Trump is selling now.

The GOP needs to put forth an agenda that deals with the reality of globalization and with the realities of what America really is. They've been skating by on selling Leave it to Beaver while advancing the agenda of the pro-business wing for a long time. Obama has scared the base, making them want action on making Leave it to Beaver real, and that's simply not possible. Trump has exploited it.

The meeting moderator just informed everyone we can tell our software to "remember" us so we don't have to log in every time. This has thrown the whole room into a tizzy. My boss is marveling that she never knew that. Everyone is chattering and asking questions.

I don't like Wednesdays.

News is saying Merrick Garland is going to get the SCOTUS nomination at 11.

Hmmm... I thought it would be the other guy. The guy approved for the appeals court in 2013 with no votes against.

Srinivasan? Doesn't he just sound controversial? (blech)

Yes. Shinivasan. Thanks.

It seems to be calculated to bring the most embarrassment to the GOP if they won't confirm the uncontroversial white guy.

The DC Circuit court is considered the second most important court in the country, so don't discount leaving the possibly-more-liberal Srinivasan there as a bad move. Nominating someone to that vacancy will also be really important.

The guy Hatch suggested? I'm sick of the President playing nice with the Republicans. I wish he nominated another liberal justice.

But okay of course Sparky comes in with words of wisdom, so I'm placated. For now.

Now John Boehner has endorsed Paul Ryan for president.

I don't know what to say about that.