Interesting piece in today’s NYT on the Dems’ conundrum over Roberts. The base wants blood, the leaders want to hedge. Here’s Norman Lear on Schumer’s equivocation:

Mr. Lear said he respected Mr. Schumer’s desire to seem reasonable, but added that this conciliatory approach had not worked for the Democrats for five years. “I really believe down to my toes that the American people are looking for authenticity,” Mr. Lear said.

Two points: “…Schumer’s desire to seem reasonable…” I love that. It may just be sloppy writing, but it does underscore the sense in which everyone understands that Schumer is not, in fact, reasonable. He merely wishes to “seem” as such.

Second: “looking for authenticity.” Here again, the assumption from the base is that one cannot be “authentic” and at the same time be torn about Roberts. Authentic liberals must act on their hatred for Bush (this point is clear given the context of the larger article) or they aren’t authentic liberals. It’s just so axiomatic.