Ketanji Brown Jackson Hearings Day 1

But first, some news regarding Justice Thomas. Althouse features a WaPoo commenter, "Oh I hate myself for my first reaction to this....". From PM, Deranged liberals wish harm on Justice Clarence Thomas after hospitalization. Fox, Author admits she 'wouldn't mind' if Justice Clarence Thomas' health forces him into retirement, deletes tweet. Thomas Lifson at Am Think thinks we should Pray for Justice Thomas!

And onto Ketanji. Althouse cites Andy McCarthy, "There are strong philosophical arguments for opposing Judge Jackson’s nomination to the Supreme Court. And she may in fact be too solicitous of criminals. But..."

"... the implication that she has a soft spot for 'sex offenders' who 'prey on children' because she argued against a severe mandatory-minimum prison sentence for the receipt and distribution of pornographic images is a smear."

Writes Andrew McCarthy in "Senator Hawley’s Disingenuous Attack against Judge Jackson’s Record on Child Pornography" (National Review).

I think she has a soft spot for defendants in general, which is not necessarily a bad thing on the court, but I do think it's a legitimate issue to raise. Ace, The National Review's Deep State Simp Andy McCarthy Vouches for the Left Again: Defends Biden's Supreme Court Justice from Josh Hawley's Critique. Jordan Boyd at Da Fed notes how Senate Democrats Praise National Review For Helping Their Ketanji Brown Jackson Confirmation Efforts.

KT at Haut Hair remembers There is one way for Republicans to block KBJ's nomination - will they use it? Catch 22 Rule 26. As long as the Senate is split, they could block it committee. Don't bother, even though Democrats have tried it in the past. 

Althouse again, "Jackson’s rulings have been detailed, methodical and left-leaning.", "The NYT reports today, as the confirmation hearings are about to begin." "So, we're told she's "left-leaning" but only "about as liberal" as Justice Breyer." President Klain, Ronald Klain @WHCOS, "Lots of boxes here, but one simple fact: if confirmed, Judge Jackson would join Justice Sotomayor as the only members of #SCOTUS with prior experience as both TRIAL judges and APPELLATE judges." At Fox, Laphonza Butler opines Senate should confirm Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson. Here's why. Virginia Kruta at Da Wire, Dick Durbin Says Questioning Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Judicial Record Is An ‘Unfair’ Attack. Tell that to Bret Kavanaugh. 

Also at Fox, Biden's Supreme Court pick Ketanji Brown Jackson testifies before the Senate: LIVE UPDATES. At LI, Ketanji Brown Jackson: I Will ‘Defend the Constitution and This Grand Experiment of American Democracy’. It's a Republic! Matt Margolis at PJ Media thinks Cory Booker Embarrasses Himself by Gushing Over Ketanji Brown Jackson's Race and Gender. Yeah, we've heard that. Sundance at CTH has the video, Senator Josh Hawley Outlines Record of SCOTUS Nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson Being Lenient Against Pedophiles and Child Sex Abusers. At Da Wire, ‘So, You Don’t Know’: ABC Reporter Lays Trap For Josh Hawley, He Snares Her Instead, "I expect you to know the facts." Democrat activists with a press pass. Nick Ballasy at JTN  notes how GOP senators draw contrast between civil Jackson hearing, 'spectacle' of Kavanaugh confirmation. 

"Chairman Grassley couldn't get the first word out of his mouth before they shut down the place," said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) in his opening statement, recalling the 2018 Kavanaugh hearings. "Most of us couldn't go back to our offices during Kavanaugh without getting spit on. I hope that doesn't happen to y'all. I don't think it will."

Stephen Kruiser at PJ Media notes  how the SCOTUS Confirmation Circus Highlights Dems' Short Memories. They're not short, they're convenient. Politico whines that Jackson defends sentencing record, parries Supreme Court expansion questions, "Senators began questioning the Supreme Court pick as the GOP trotted out a favored Democratic strategy: slamming unelected advocacy groups for pushing a nominee." Madeleine Hubbard at JTN highlights 'A lot of hiding': Senators kept from seeing Sentencing Commission records on Supreme Court nominee, "Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin is "hiding" records from Ketanji Brown Jackson's time as vice chair of the Sentencing Commission, where she championed leniency for child predators, says Michael Davis, former chief counsel for the committee." As ET puts it, Secrecy Shrouds Key Jackson Documents Despite Durbin’s Sunshine Week Praise. I wonder what they're hiding. It seems like their heeding my advice "vet hard, vet fair, vote your conscience" so far.