Barack Obama should nominate former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to the Supreme Court.
First of all, Obama seems intent on mimicking many of the policies of the Bush Administration so getting one of Bush’s attorney generals fits with the pattern and would give Obama someone he is comfortable with.
At the same time, nominating Gonzales is a wonderful opportunity for Obama to show he is his own man, intent on taking the country in a bold new direction. George W. Bush didn’t think Gonzales was worthy of being anything more than head of the U.S. Department of Justice whereas Obama would be saying that this man of Latino extraction is good enough to be on the highest court of the land. Plus, I hear the number of Latinos in this country is growing so there might be some political benefits.
Gonzales on the high court would also provide a great argument against any sort of criminal charges against the members of the Bush Administration for war crimes. We can’t have a justice on the Supreme Court being held responsible for his actions if it would make America look bad, after all.
And for those who are worried that Democrats might rebel against Gonzales’ nomination, the Wikipedia entry on Gonzales indicates that some people do not consider him to be pro-life, so there is no chance of that.
Some might see a downside because he is not a woman. However, the Supreme Court already has one skirt and one more would just provide an unnecessary distraction for the men we trust to interpret our laws. It would be like adding gays to the military.
America might not truly need Gonzales to be the nominee, but Barack Obama does.
Comments