In the end, the fight over the open Supreme Court seat might, unfortunately, come down to money and which side is more willing to part with their hard earned cash in order to influence the national debate. Here’s a clip from the Washington Post:
The effort to fill the Supreme Court seat being vacated by Justice Sandra Day O’Connor has already become a fundraising magnet for both left and right that promises to rival the 2004 presidential campaign for the rate of cash flow, if not total dollars raised.
The prospect of shifting the Supreme Court to the right has fueled a quest for dollars by conservative and liberal interest groups that will halt only if President Bush does the unexpected and nominates someone acceptable to all sides.
Under the scenario of an ideological battle, participants predict the competition for cash will turn the Senate confirmation into the most expensive nomination fight in the nation’s history, certain to break $50 million and, if the nominee is especially controversial, likely to approach $100 million.
If you haven’t already, now might be a good time to dig deep you’re your pocket and consider making a donation to a group like People for the American Way or MoveOn. Both have good projects already underway and I’m sure your few extra bucks could go a long way toward getting the message out… I know I don’t have to tell you this, but personal privacy, a woman’s right to choose, social security, the environment, workers’ rights, and the separation of church and state may all be in jeopardy. This isn’t a fight that any of us can, in good conscience, sit out.
4 Comments
Pardon the crabbiness of this comment, but, what ever happened to all the “the truth will prevail” people? Where are the optimists? The idealists?
Yea, yea, I know, I used to be one of them, but now all I find myself doing is deciding who will be the recipient of this week’s political donation. Move On? Public Citizen? Common Cause? ACLU? The ACS? I could go on and on. I’m feeling like the main thing that is beginning to separate me from my political foes these days is the list of organizations or .coms I donate to.
Feels like armchair politics, or just plain old gambling, for that matter. Crappy way to have to fight, if you ask me (but knowing you didn’t). ;^)
remember you also have to make property tax donations to your local commisioners, otherwise they’ll just sieze your land and give it to someone who will pay more..
I agree with you, TG. Things shouldn’t be this way. The news should be impartial. The Republicans shouldn’t spin their messages to play on the fears of the people. Money and corporate interests shouldn’t be involved. Unfortunately, that’s not the reality of the situation though. The truth is that the other side in this case is going to do everything in their power to obfuscate the issues. And they’re going to be paying a hell of a lot to do it. If it weren’t so damned important, maybe I’d join you in saying that we should step back and not continue this Cold War Arms Race-like escalation.
Well, Mark, if you can’t join me steppin’ back, maybe you can join me for a beer sometime. I’m buyin’ :^)
BTW, the DEAD club is meeting this Tues at the Sidetrack. You game?