Well, the Washington Post has found some people who are saying that to know Alberto Gonzales is to love Alberto Gonzales. I was afraid it might come to this. And the Post wonders whether the president will allow conservatives to impose a litmus test on him, demanding that he appoint someone to their liking — a rather odd formulation of the debate since the president himself campaigned on his own litmus test, i.e., he stated that his favorite justices were Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas. Moreover, I’ve been told the president is a conservative — albeit a compassionate conservative. So, why should he even need prodding from conservatives, or treat us as the crazy uncle in the attic? If it turns out that the president was just joking during the campaign about his commitment to originalism, many of us won’t be laughing at such dishonesty.

I see no evidence that Gonzales has a clear judicial philosophy. And those who know him and love him should share more than their personal experiences with the rest of us. Otherwise, I can’t take them seriously. Unlike the FEMA Director, we’re talking here about a lifetime appointment, and about an individual who can unleash more damage on our society than Hurricane Katrina.

The time for fan-dancing is over. The president has terrific individuals in waiting. Now is not the time to be blinded by friendship and misplaced loyalty. Now is not the time to demonstrate to liberal detractors your independence from your base. Now is not the time to unleash the political operatives to spew their spin. Now is not the time to abandon the Constitution. We are your friends too, Mr. President.