Going Courting in Washington

IF the Washington Legal Foundation has its way, the term “Nader’s Raiders” may take on a new meaning uncongenial to Ralph. But I’m getting ahead of myself. A little background is in order.

Throughout my first year of law school, I delighted in telling classmates that my plans included pursuing public-interest law. And they immediately understood. I was going to defend indigent criminals, horsewhip businesses through government regulation and product liability suits, and bring to justice the “malefactors of great wealth” (to quote Theodore Roosevelt’s most demagogic statement ever). I savored the benedictory gleam in their eyes for a few moments before explaining that I had other malefactors in mind. At this point, their eyes clouded over—not with disapproval, but with bewilderment.

About the Author

Mona Charen

Mona Charen is a syndicated columnist, the policy editor of The Bulwark, and the host of the podcast Beg to Differ.

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IF the Washington Legal Foundation has its way, the term “Nader’s Raiders” may take on a new meaning uncongenial to Ralph. But I’m getting ahead of myself. A little background is in order.

Throughout my first year of law school, I delighted in telling classmates that my plans included pursuing public-interest law. And they immediately understood. I was going to defend indigent criminals, horsewhip businesses through government regulation and product liability suits, and bring to justice the “malefactors of great wealth” (to quote Theodore Roosevelt’s most demagogic statement ever). I savored the benedictory gleam in their eyes for a few moments before explaining that I had other malefactors in mind. At this point, their eyes clouded over—not with disapproval, but with bewilderment.