So Far, So Good ...

Bill Swann has an excellent post over at Centerfield about the current state of debate, at least among the White House and Senate leadership, over the upcoming Supreme Court nomination. Like Bill, I've been impressed so far at how President Bush and Democrat leaders in the Senate have comported themselves. The president's statement on the morning of O'Connor's announcement set a good tone, and that has been followed by good, positive comments from Minority Leader Reid over the last couple of days.

President Bush yesterday (and again today) defended his Attorney General and close personal friend, Alberto Gonzales, from some nasty criticisms coming from the "Justice Sunday" crowd (see "Preemptive Strike"), and today in Denmark said that he would have no single-issue litmus tests when it came to making a Court nomination. I could not agree more with another statement the president made today: "I hope the United States Senate conducts themselves in a way that brings dignity to the process and that the senators don't listen to the special interest groups, particularly those on the extremes that are trying to exploit this opportunity for not only . . . what they may think is right but also for their own fundraising capabilities."

Personally I've already gotten direct mail fundraising solicitations from groups on the right and the left, both begging for my money to "prepare for a battle over the Supreme Court." I hope that those who actually have to make these decisions will continue to resist the nastiness from both sides, and come together to make a process that Americans can be proud of. Maybe Ralph Neas and James Dobson will squawk a little bit, but you know, making both those guys mad would indicate to me that (as with the Gang of 14 compromise) something's just about right.

Another healthy step from the Bush Administration from just a little while ago: word comes from the AP that the president has asked former Republican senator Fred Thompson (yes, the D.A. on "Law & Order") to "serve as an informal adviser to shepherd the nomination through the Senate," and Thompson has accepted. This is a smart move, to say the least.

Maybe our political leaders will surprise us all and handle this like mature, responsible adults. It's too soon to tell, of course - but the first signs, I have to say, are encouraging.