Anita Hill weighs in on John Roberts, because that’s her role in the national consciousness, one assumes. She begins by describing some of the nominee’s obvious appeal, then asks:

“But was John Roberts chosen because he’s the best choice for the court or because he may easily be confirmed? And why not choose a woman to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman on the Supreme Court? Or use this as an opportunity to nominate the first Latino to the court?”

Well, which is it, Professor? Should the President choose the best nominee, or a woman, or a Latino? And if the President had chosen a woman or a minority, wouldn’t the charge today be that the choice was made more on confirmability than qualification, i.e,. a Democratic Senator can’t vote against them?

Mr. President, if you find yourself troubled by all this, I point you to the words of Bart Simpson, who when asked to define an oxymoron, quipped, “You’re damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.” (“Bart the Genius,” written by Jon Vitti.)