I quite agree with Emily Bazelon that, by nudging and winking Leslie Southwick toward the bench, Harry Reid is abdicating a legitimate moderating role for Democrats in judicial appointments.

What I find a little more annoying is that Reid's gentleman's agreement with Mitch McConnell, after hurting several groups the Democrats are supposedly protecting, will almost certainly be forgotten when another vacancy opens on the Supreme court. Because, of course, it's OK to politicize judicial appointments when you're under a national media spotlight.

To take partisanship out of 'advise and consent' may be a wonderful thing, but at least propose it explicitly, and promise to apply it with consistency. Reid's back-to-the-future approach to judicial nominees looks less principled than weak.

You won't find much disagreement, but there isnt much we can do. Dem Senators long have been unwilling to really use the power they have