Bill Kristol Promotes Clarence Thomas for McCain's Veep Choice
I'm afraid I awoke a couple of commuters, and maybe caused someone else to spill his coffee, on the train to New York City this morning when I burst out in laughter reading the conclusion of the column by ever-reliable Bill Kristol in The New York Times.
He had already mentioned Joe Lieberman as a possible running mate for John McCain, and then moved on to the expected Gen. Petraeus and somewhat less predictable Gen. Odierno, the "heroes" of the surge and the coming "victory" in Iraq. But he concluded with a name I'd never seen floated before: U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
Here's the passage: "He could persuade the most impressive conservative in American public life, Clarence Thomas, to join the ticket." This, presumably, would be a plus, even a coup, in Kristolworld.
Well, we had a "Silent Cal" (Coolidge) as president so why not a "Silence Clarence" as Veep?
As you may be aware, Thomas has shattered all high court records for lack of speaking or questioning as cases are brought before him. It's actually quite disturbing.
NPR reported two weeks ago, "It's been more than two years since Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas asked a question during arguments. The other eight justices regularly pepper attorneys with questions." More than 140 cases had come and gone without Thomas speaking.
The AP completed a full survey of recent years on this matter, observing: "Leaning back in his leather chair, often looking up at the ceiling, Thomas takes it all in, but he never joins in....'One thing I've demonstrated often in 16 years is you can do this job without asking a single question,' he told an adoring crowd at the Federalist Society, a conservative legal group....'If I think a question will help me decide a case, then I'll ask that question,' he told C-SPAN's Brian Lamb in October. 'Otherwise, it's not worth asking because it detracts from my job.'"
So the idea of a vice presidential debate between Thomas and a Democrat can only make you guffaw -- and the networks worry about dead air. Imagine a Biden vs. Thomas debate! I would pay to watch that one.
Only a Kristol could conjure Thomas as a viable candidate for high office, or practically anything else. It's more like The Onion than The Times.
NOTE: My new book, So Wrong for So Long: How the Press, the Pundits -- and the President -- Failed on Iraq, has just been published. I am the editor of Editor & Publisher.
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"Oh, Bill. have you ever been right about anything?'
J. Stewart
Krystol has to be certifiable. Unless he is intentionally trying to undermine McCain's chances in November. If there is one politician, and he IS a politician, who is less liked among blacks than Bush , I would nominate Clarence Thomas. He is anti any type help for those underpriviledged, poor blacks and whites. He is as full of it as a Christmas Goose.
Those are all excellent choices for McCain's running mate. I would like to add one: Dick Cheney. You go McCain; Iran's just a waitin' for you.
It's only about PRETENDING to have respect for Thomas. The Con's, including Kristol, want to keep him happy.
Clarence Thomas asks a lot of questions and gets answers too. He just prefers to use a weegee board. Personally I think John McCain and Anton Scalia would be a real hot ticket.
Thomas almost seems to hold the Supreme Court in as much contempt as Bush and Cheney do the Executive branch.
Someone would have to wake Clarence Thomas up to tell him of his selection as a vice-presidential candidate.
Kristol is sometimes, as here, almost a caricature of himself. Thomas is a beneficiary of affirnative action who hates affirmative action. Kristol is a beneficiary of nepotism who champions merit. Neither man would know an ordinary American if he came face to face with him. Whatever the Times was trying to prove when it hired Kristol has already become a sad joke. Kristol is most likely trying to keep his record going of being wrong all the time.
Kristol is such a limited thinker. He obviously wants to counter Obama's ethnicity/race, but Thomas is neither charismatic nor unblemished (is kristol forgetting the pepsi pap smear?). The neocon dope is only seeing in black and white. Although he is excellent at talking through his ass, he even lacks hindsight.
Very witty and true!
Of course! Clarence Thomas has been at least as supportive of America as has George W. Bush. I don't think Bill Kristal is a comedian posing as a political pundit, I think Bill Kristal is posing as a human, as is George, Clarence, Dick, Donald, Paul, Condi, etc...Noth
True, but at times Bush and Cheney's trampling of the constitution under foot still surprises me. I wonder how they get away with it all the time.
Mr Bill needs to get his meds balanced out. I can't comprehend how weird this election season is becoming..
Wow. A possible twofer. A sitting judge can't run for political office, can they? Thomas resigns, signs on with McCain and both get hammered. I'd even vote for Hillary to see this.
Yes, so would I. Put a fair minded person on the Supreme court to replace Thomas.
Great idea Bill!
Get that guy out of the supreme court.
And KILL the ticket! Kill two birds with one stone!!! I love it!!!
Then appoint a decent Democratic replacement who won't make speeches at the Federalist Society meetings, unless it is to chew their ignorant asses out.
I think this is the only good idea that Bill Kristol has EVER had if it would mean that Thomas would have to give up his SCOTUS job. The picture of Clarence in his RV all painted up and staying in Wal-Mart lots is really amusing. Given his personable style, I think his campaign would be a hoot to follow.
Why would anyone give up a lifetime gig for the VP?
Thomas is not even qualified to be a janitor and knows it. he will take a chance of giving up his job. another useless anti- American, as is Bill K.
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