On Sunday's Meet the Press, Democrat Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid opined that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is "an embarrassment":
Reid reserved his strongest remarks for the issue of the Supreme Court, which is expected to experience significant turnover during the coming term. He said he disagrees with many of the decisions made by Justice Antonin Scalia and remains troubled by recent "ethics problems" relating to Scalia's refusal to recuse himself from a case in which he appeared to have a conflict of interest. But Reid said he probably could support Scalia to be the next chief justice because, he said, "this is one smart guy."
But he offered no hope of support for a Thomas appointment. "I think that he has been an embarrassment to the Supreme Court," Reid said. "I think that his opinions are poorly written. I just don't think he's done a good job."
Today, the WSJ editorial page appropriately blasts Reid:
As it happens, this insult comes just when Justice Thomas has been enjoying better publicity for his work both on and off the High Court. The Washington Post published a series earlier this year that was remarkably flattering toward his contribution, and noting that he is very much his own man on the bench. A new book by Atlanta reporter Ken Foskett, "Judging Thomas," also attempts an objective appraisal and concludes he is making a mark on the Court. As a final point, imagine the reaction if, say, Trent Lott had ever dared to suggest that the late African-American Justice Thurgood Marshall wasn't really up to the work?
Speaking of Trent Lott, where are all the bloggers who led the charge against Trent Lott for his comments about Strom Thurmond on this one? Why aren't they blasting Reid for his comments about Thomas?
Update: Tigerhawk and Mike Collins both blogged it.
