Lots of email like this:
Jonah,
No one has come to his defense because you were spot on. Not only did
he seem to not have talking points, he forgot the very clear talking
points everyone else has mentioned.
The clincher for his failure with Senator Schumer came when the
discussion turned to the confirmation of Judge Ginsburg. Schumer again
hit on how bipartisan consultation resulted in an easy process.
However, as Senator Hatch recently, and very clearly, noted this had to
do with the Republicans being willing to give the President a lot more
leeway than Democrats are willing to do. It was Republican graciousness
not Democratic consultation. Senator Hatch made the excellent point
that it was because he had built a relationship with the President based
on respect and understanding, and the President reached out to Senator
Hatch because he knew they could work together. Senator Hatch then noted
that the shrill partisan demands of Democrats is precisely the opposite
atmosphere of the Republicans in the early 1990s.
It’s a brilliant point that reaffirms the Republicans as always being
more congenial and respectful of traditions, laying the blame fully on
the Democrats.
Senator Cornyn, however, rambled along with some response which
completely forgot Senator Hatch, and completely conceded to Senator
Schumer’s argument. Senator Schumer setup for a slam dunk response.
Instead of doing this, however, Cornyn bounced it hard off the rim. He
definitely should be benched. Any Freshman political science major
could have hit back better. It almost makes me think Senator Cornyn
doesn’t know the history of the last fifteen years of confirmation battles.
Embarrassing all around. Senator Cornyn completely let the team down.