A Must Read

The following is an article on the ecconomics of Obamanomics.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=washingtonstory&sid=aaaBdVMkjPnU

I look forward to your comments

Mark

Obama’s Strategic Victory Leaves Two Courses of Action

President Obama’s nomination of Sonia Sotomayor was a strategic victory for he and his party. Even today’s revelations that she made numerous speeches over a period of six years expressing what most would consider overt racism will have little impact on this powerful choice.¹ The Hispanic population now stands at over 45 million, or 15.1% of the US population.² In the balance of power for the 2010 elections, commanding the support of this large segment is critical. By appointing the first Latina Supreme Court Justice, President Obama has gained enormous credibility with this segment of the population. Despite having nearly 60% of her cases sent to the Supreme Court overturned by them, any effort to block this nomination will alienate the individuals and their organizations from a major block of votes.

First let me acknowledge, any discussion of targeting certain voting blocks smacks of treating people as if they are game pieces on a chessboard. I believe both parties have pure motives in seeking to elevate a Hispanic leader in our government. The problem is, I also believe Mr. Obama selected an individual he knew The GOP could not support.

This leaves anyone who opposes the confirmation of the nominee only two real courses of action. One method would be to do nothing at all. Do not oppose her despite her very clear revisionist mentality. With the US Senate so heavily controlled by Mr. Obama’s party, her confirmation, barring some earth-shattering discovery, is nearly assured. Doing nothing to oppose her prevents alienating Hispanics.

However, I believe there is another course of action. Republicans can for now say nothing. Once into the hearings, the case reviews as well as her speeches will surface. Discuss these as concerning but never in a condemning way. Then, hold a press conference and recommend the president consider an alternate Hispanic judge as a nominee. Clearly there is another who has not been so overt in his or her racism. And while pointing out another Hispanic as an alternate, the conservatives defeat any argument that their opposition was anti-Hispanic.

I realize Senators have no rights to propose anyone to the president. And many people will accuse them of a rouse. But they should stand up for what they believe is right for the country in regards to the content of the nominee’s philosophical orientation to the constitution. And doing so should not cost them votes in 2010. I believe many in the Hispanic community will see the gesture and believe that the Republicans are opposing her for purely philosophical reasons and not racism.

Ultimately, Obama’s selection of Sotomayor was more about the politics than picking the best judge. Why else would he select someone for the Supreme Court, who has had so many opinions overturned by the Supreme Court? His agenda is not veiled. But for now, it is a strategic victory and I do respect the man for it.

Obama has pinned the republicans in a minefield. Opposing Sotomayor will cause a loss of Hispanic support. Recommending an alternative Hispanic judge more closely aligned to their principles, despite its futility, is the only course of action with any chance of allowing them to retain some Hispanic supporters while giving Sotomayor the honest due diligence that a Supreme Court Justice nominee deserves.

Mark

1Stern, Seth, “Sotomayor Repeatedly Referenced 'Wise Woman' in Speeches,” CQ Politics, June 4, 2009 7:32 PM, http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/legal_beat/2009/06/sotomayor-repeatedly-reference.html

2”How many Hispanics in the U.S.? Not easy task for census,” THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Thursday, March 19th 2009, 10:50 AM