Why Are We Surprised?

Sure, I know that Rehnquist is sick and all, so he's probably on his way out soon, and I expected him to announce first. But the level of shock that's greeting Sandra Day O'Connor's retirement is very surprising to me. The scuttlebutt was that she wanted to resign four years ago after Bush first came into office but didn't because of the controversies surrounding the election. Now that Bush took office again (with better numbers this time), why would she not leave at the first opportunity?

Now, finally, the Senate can get down to business. It hasn't been at the forefront of our thinking, but this is the big confrontation we've all been getting ready for. This is why the Democrats have been bending over backwards and refusing to use the filibuster against judicial nominees that aren't fit to sit on the bench. This is why the administration and its sock puppet Bill Frist have been ratcheting up the nuclear option. This is when the religious right wants to see its payback from the Bush administration. This is the big one. Democrats (in the Senate and elsewhere) need to keep in mind Bush's falling poll numbers and the growing discontent among all groups toward this administration. The liberal media will not let up their drumbeat for him, but we all have to remember that they don't speak for the rest of us. The insular Washington press has no awareness (or interest) in what's happening outside of the beltway, so just because discontent is not reported does not mean it doesn't exist. Sure, the Senate Democrats have made more than their fair share of missteps and haven't shown the spine they should have, but now they need our backing. Support Minority Leader Harry Reid. Support Minority Whip Dick Durbin. Support the Democratic senators in your state, and pressure your Republican senators not to blindly accept the administration's nominee.