The Associated Press just put out a story that focuses on the ethnic makeup and racist past of John Roberts’ hometown:

LONG BEACH, Ind. – Like many towns across America, the exclusive lakefront community where Supreme Court nominee John G. Roberts Jr. grew up during the racially turbulent 1960s and ’70s once banned the sale of homes to nonwhites and Jews.

The story describes Roberts’ hometown as “Mayberry-like.” It goes on to question Roberts’ record on civil rights:

Roberts’ criticism of racial “quotas” in some documents from his work as a White House lawyer has alarmed civil rights groups and some Democrats, who say he may be a partisan for conservative causes. Other memos from his time in the Reagan Justice Department portray an attorney who urged his bosses to restrict affirmative action and Title IX sex discrimination lawsuits.

Quotas is in quotes. Civil rights = affirmative action. And Title IX comes into play — why? Were there no women in Mayberry either?

It is hard to know how much Roberts’ upbringing in this northern Indiana community on the shores of Lake Michigan influenced his views. Some say the fact that there were riots and restrictions on home ownership is not relevant at all.

Translation: It’s hard to know whether Roberts’ upbringing in Mayberry made him a racist. Some say it’s possible he’s an intelligent man capable of grappling with policy issues independently of where he grew up.

But we obviously doubt it.

The NARAL ad was bad. But then again, it was NARAL. I just didn’t expect it from the AP. (Thanks to MB reader James S. for the tip)