How Obama Can Ensure Victory for His Justice

Vet Souter's successor like heck, and talk to all the right people
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted May 4, 2009 1:04 PM CDT
How Obama Can Ensure Victory for His Justice
President Barack Obama smiles as he makes a surprise appearance during the daily press briefing to speak about the upcoming retirement of Supreme Court Justice David Souter, May 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

If Barack Obama wants to avoid a drawn out battle over his Supreme Court nominee, Mark Halperin has some advice:

  • Vet the nominee exhaustively, and if anything comes up, make sure it comes out early and favorably.
  • Be ready to play up “whatever Horatio Alger elements” of the nominee’s life story you can find.
  • Line up Republicans willing to say nice things about him/her.

  • Consult with Pat Leahy “again and again and again, until your mouth, brain, and ears hurt.”
  • Set up a rapid-response center to field questions and attacks.
  • Bring the “liberal echo chamber” onboard, allowing interest groups and talking heads to combat the Sean Hannitys of the world.
  • Most of all, Obama should trust his instincts. “He’s good with history, personality, and legacy,” Halperin writes.
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(More US Supreme Court stories.)

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