Politics hang over Senate hearings

Amber Phillips, The Washington Post: “In theory, senators on the Judiciary Committee are supposed to leave their politics at the door as they decide whether a president’s pick for the Supreme Court is fit for the job. But Day 2 of Judge Neil Gorsuch’s multiday hearing was infused with politics. Democrats said they feel like his nomination comes at time when the independence between the executive and judicial branches may be threatened. Plus, they’re raging mad that President Obama’s nominee to fill the seat of former justice Antonin Scalia never got a hearing. Republicans are pleased at the notion of replacing Scalia’s conservative mantle with the prospect of another reliable conservative vote.”

Paul Callan, CNN: “The journey of Gorsuch ... could veer a bit off the road in the skid marks of the ‘ Case of the Frozen Trucker.’ ... A truck driver can’t be fired for refusing to ‘ operate’ his vehicle because of ‘ safety concerns.’ ... Gorsuch maintained that the actual words of the statute in question would only back the driver when he was ‘ operating’ both the cab and the trailer as a single unit. Obviously, he couldn’t ‘ operate’ the truck and trailer together and drive away for help and warmth because the brakes on the trailer were frozen. The other judges on the 10th Circuit were willing to apply a dollop of common sense and give the driver the benefit of the doubt.”

Raul A. Reyes, NBC News: “While his views on contentious social issues remain opaque, Gorsuch has already displayed an unwillingness to stand up to Trump. ... Consider that when Trump lashed out at the ( appeals court) judge who blocked his travel ban, calling him a ‘ so- called judge,’ Gorsuch made no public statement ( he did call Trump’s words ‘ disheartening’ in private). That public silence speaks volumes; it sends a signal that Gorsuch’s loyalties lie with the most antiLatino, anti- immigrant president in modern history.”

Joseph Stern, Slate: “Democrats may argue that Gorsuch is an illegitimate justice in a stolen seat, but the judge himself will not fit easily into the role of a villain. Whatever extreme positions he may hold will be concealed by his humble, articulate demeanor. It seems overwhelmingly likely that Gorsuch will soon sit on the Supreme Court.”