Drudge Claims Alito’s Critics Are Racist
Drudge Claims Alito’s Critics Are Racist
Drudge reports that the right-wing is pushing back on the nickname “Scalito” given to Samuel Alito because they see it as “ethnically insensitive”:
One outraged Republican strategist claimed, “If Alito were a liberal there would be no way Democrats and Washington’s media elite would use such a ethnically insensitive nickname. Italian-Americans should not have to face these types of derogatory racial slurs in 21st century America.”
Actually, if Alito were a moderate, he wouldn’t be given the nickname because his judicial philosophy would not invite comparisons to Antonin Scalia. As the media has been clear in indicating, the nickname given to Alito is meant to draw comparisons to Scalia’s ideology, not his ethnicity:
“So consistently conservative, Alito has been dubbed ‘Scalito’ or ‘Scalia-lite’ by some lawyers because his judicial philosophy invites comparisons to conservative Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.” [AP, 10/31/05]
“Often called ‘Scalito’ because he closely adheres to Justice Antonin Scalia’s legal philosophy, Alito, 55, has sat on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the past 15 years, where he has been a consistently dissenting conservative voice.” [Austin American-Statesman, 10/28/05]
“A strong conservative voice in his 15 years on the Philadelphia-based 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. He has been dubbed ‘Scalito’ because his judicial philosophy invites comparisons to Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.” [Chicago Tribune, 10/28/05]
“He has been dubbed ‘Scalito’ or ‘Scalia-lite’ by some lawyers because his judicial philosophy invites comparisons to Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.” [AP, 9/4/05]
“Judge Samuel Alito Jr., 50, of the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Alito, of Newark, N.J., has been called ‘Scalito’ for a judicial philosophy akin to that of Justice Antonin Scalia, whom the Texas governor has praised.” [Houston Chronicle, 5/26/00]
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“How dare the Democrats compare him to Scalia!” What a laugh.
How ironic that the Republicans are insulted at the comparison, if for the wrong reasons.
October 31st, 2005 at 10:24 amSounds familiar. Like Miers’s critics were sexist. I thought these were touchy-feely liberal tactics.
Oh I forgot. Real conservatives morphed into social conservatives. Real conservatives are that most endangered species we call “moderate Republicans” today.
October 31st, 2005 at 10:31 amWe’re not insulted by anything you losers say. We’re just going to throw all your Left Wing multicultural racist ranting back in your face. Just shut up and enjoy the show.
October 31st, 2005 at 10:31 amThe right-wing is back to playing its old tricks
October 31st, 2005 at 10:31 am#3 – right on!!! If the left wants to make this a referendum on Scalia, they will lose that fight too.
Bushie fooled us all and came through. The right is ready to take back the Courts and bring the country back to some sanity. Letting Ralph Neas decide the social agenda for the entire country has finally turned Americans against Democrats and their hateful liberal allies.
October 31st, 2005 at 10:33 am“multicultural racist ranting”
How can you be a multi-cultural racist??? LOL. Isn’t that a contradiction in itself?
October 31st, 2005 at 10:35 amHe’ll be confimed something like 65-35, barring some scandal. So we’ll have Roberts-Scalia-Thomas-Alito working on Kennedy to join their opinions.
Should be an interesting next 10 years.
And let’s see if Stevens retires before 2008.
October 31st, 2005 at 10:35 amLet’s see if Bush retires before 2008!
October 31st, 2005 at 10:42 amMan, no-one vomits up politically-correct drivel more shamelessly than the wingnut right.
I know my mother and all my Italian-American relatives are just going to be livid about the name (not)
October 31st, 2005 at 10:44 amReminds me of the whole “Alberto Gonzales is Spanish for Souter†whisper campaign before the Roberts nomination. But that wasn’t racist, because Republicans were doing the whispering.
October 31st, 2005 at 10:45 amIs comparing Alito to Scalia supposed to be a perjorative? Sounds more like an endorsement to me. Scalia is brilliant!
October 31st, 2005 at 10:50 ami’m sure i heard matt lauer this morning use that “scalito” reference and the explanation…
October 31st, 2005 at 10:54 amSomeone needs to hose Drudge & Co. down.
October 31st, 2005 at 11:01 amI don’t know what the problem is. All his friends call him “Chuch.”
October 31st, 2005 at 11:07 amInsight into Scalito’s REAL racism: Bray v Marriott Hotels
Read and enjoy..
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?court=3rd&navby=case&no=971559p
October 31st, 2005 at 11:11 amready to go nucular?
If Republicans can successfully derail a nomination solely for the reasons that the candidate’s conservative credentials are not air-tight, can the Democrats derail a nominee for being so far to the right that he represents the views of only a handfu…
October 31st, 2005 at 11:20 amRedstate has been pushing this guy since before Meirs was named. I don’t need any other reasons not to like him.
Now, I don’t expect to LIKE anyone dumbya names, but I at least don’t want to loath ‘em with every fiber of my being.
Trolls be gone. your just frustrated assholes.
October 31st, 2005 at 11:22 amI can see this going nucular as well. This will be the fight to end all fights in the Senate and all the light will be taken off the real story (the Plame Affair). I am ashamed to be an American for no more press that this is getting and the silence of the Democratic party on this issue. We are at war and outting any operative whether knowingly or not is treason. If this was WWII or the Korean war these idiots would be formally charged and formally shot. This is a true American tradgedy to our spy base and these people who work there deserve better from our own government.
October 31st, 2005 at 11:32 amWhat a crock. The wacky right is upset about a ncik name that they gave this guy? They are grasping!
October 31st, 2005 at 11:34 amThis is my message to ABC News regarding my earlier contribution to a number of newsgroup:
While President Bush was announcing Alito as his choice for the Supreme Court, within seconds, I did a search on Alito. Apparently the quote has been removed and I can now find nothing at the URL, I give below, which refers to Alito’s homosexuality and his lover in Pennsylvania. I have heard nothing in media which references Alito’s sexual preference and wonder why the Wikopedia reference has been edited/censored. I would think that Alito’s sexual preference would work as an asset rather than a liability. Why have NONE of the media picked up on this issue??
“Alito was born in Trenton, New Jersey on April 1, 1950. He graduated from Princeton University with an B.A. in 1972, and went to Yale Law School, where he earned a J.D. in 1975.
Alito is proud to be known as a gay American, having come out at Princeton as a member of the undergraduate water polo team in 1970. Alito has done an admirable job at reconciling his deep Catholicism with his gay Republican status, acting tough on crime as a prosecutor and holding as a strictly conservative Constitutional constructionist as a jurist.
Alito is seldom seen in public with his current partner, reported to be New Hope, PA-based luxury pet clothes designer Carmine Saarloos. It remains to be seen whether Saarloos will appear with Alito when introduced by President George W. Bush as a nominee to the Supreme Court.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_A._Alito,_Jr.
October 31st, 2005 at 11:45 amWhat’s Drudge complaining about? He discriminates against homosexuals even as he is one. Now that’s credibility, no?
October 31st, 2005 at 11:47 amNED Who is the one that is hateful? You REPUBLICANS hate AMERICA. If you love this war so much why don’t you inlist in the military and go and fight in Iraq.
October 31st, 2005 at 11:50 am#19
When was the last time Plame was out of the country on a mission? And since when does the left give a sh*t about the CIA anyway. Its so easy to see right through you people. The press? The MSM, although many of you claim to be in the back pocket of the right wing, had almost all of Bush’s staff indicted, convicted and in jail, when in fact they knew nothing. I’m sorry, but this story got more than its 15 minutes of fame.
October 31st, 2005 at 11:55 amscalito is racist? nope, drudge must be thinking of these:
dago-lito
October 31st, 2005 at 12:01 pmwop-alito
goombalito
greaseballito
guid-alito
alito-roni
[...] Earlier today on Fox News, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), a member of the Judiciary Committee, followed Matt Drudge’s lead and implied that opponents of Samuel Alito’s nomination may be motivated by Alito’s ethnicity. He warned senators “to be very careful here,” because a vote against Alito would be “held against them” by Italian-Americans: [They] think they own the Italian-American vote all up and down the East Coast. They don’t, but they think they do. If they become offensive against somebody with the qualifications of Sam Alito, Judge Alito, then I think it’s going to be held against them. They’re going to have to be very careful how they handle this, and frankly what bothers me if 22 — in other words, half of the Democrats in the Senate — could vote against John Roberts, can you imagine what this nomination is going to be like? There’s no reason they should have voted against Roberts. And I think Alito’s going to be just fine but we’re all going to have to work really hard to make sure that’s so. [...]
October 31st, 2005 at 12:04 pm[...] In related news, Drudge is still ridiculous. [...]
October 31st, 2005 at 12:25 pmIsn’t “Scalito” Italian for “little shit”
October 31st, 2005 at 12:43 pmpreemtive racism accusations by the folks that brought preemptive “shock and awe” war.
October 31st, 2005 at 1:12 pmBush gets another Klansmen to go with Scalia, Roberts, and that reject Thomas. Miers was cannon fodder; he knew she would never make it; that was to appease his wife who probably complained too much. Anyone with any common sense has to know that Bush would choose an oligarch to unite his party.
October 31st, 2005 at 4:21 pmMessage to Drudge: Place the left hand on the inside of the right elbow, then sharply raise the right arm with a closed fist in the air. Get the message?
October 31st, 2005 at 4:24 pmAnd imagine that loser Orrin Hatch implying that this is an ethnic slur to call him “Scalito.” What a joke! Alito is a right wing originalist like Scalia; that is why he is being called out like this. Anyone who says they are an originalist needs their head examined. Anyone read the original document – slavery was legal, folks. And do Italian Americans care that he’s Italian-American? I doubt it. Do blacks care that C Thomas is black? They wish he would resign and go back to Georgia is what I’ve heard. Now, he is an embrassment.
October 31st, 2005 at 4:26 pmThere needs to be a build up of outrage re: 5 judges out of 9 are Roman Catholic. This does NOT represent the country!
Dark Ages coming again!
October 31st, 2005 at 4:29 pmThey impeach a competant public servant like Bill Clinton for his personal sex life, and yet an incompetant man like Geeorge Bush is let to lie us into a war with no such reprisal. They are obviously winning big time, yet a slight jab at one of their own raises an apparent self righteousous sensibility that they own the country rather than serve it. Bad form.
October 31st, 2005 at 5:28 pmDrudge is using the classic strawman argument – create one out of thin air to bash your opponents. Has any so-called liberal brought up the issue of Scalito’s ethnicity?
Drudge and Hatch should be called out on their bullshit right away.
The real issue ISN’T Scalito being Italian, or Scalia, for that matter – it’s his record, record, record. He has shown a pretty consistent record of hostility to enforcement of civil rights legislation and worker’s rights. Sides with the powerful against the not-so-powerful.
October 31st, 2005 at 5:50 pm“There needs to be a build up of outrage re: 5 judges out of 9 are Roman Catholic. This does NOT represent the country!”
I could care less about any judges’ faith provided he/she doesn’t let her personal religious beliefs color his/her judicial decisions in a biased manner.
October 31st, 2005 at 5:53 pmHas anyone heard Matt Drudge on his radio show? It would seem to me unlikely for many to take him seriously on matters of any importance, after getting a sense of the type of person he is by listening. Like an angry, depressed, self indulgent high school sophomore.
Tom
October 31st, 2005 at 7:11 pmIt’s all disgusting. Whether it’s the right wing fascists or left wing demagogues, both sides will go through every and any mean to denigrate, tear down and tear apart any nominee because of their own philosophy. No wonder the American people are disgusted with political figures. And might I add interest groups!!!!!!!!
October 31st, 2005 at 7:36 pmItalians do not think that way. Italian = American. Not a special interest group. Not “race†driven. They’re barking up the wrong tree with that line of fire. They have got to be kidding.
October 31st, 2005 at 8:07 pmDagos don’t care what lefties say about them
October 31st, 2005 at 8:31 pmtakes one to know one-racists,I mean.I wasn’t aware that Italians were a seperate ethnic group,but leave it to right wingers to try and paint em that way,should it be politically expediant.Y’know, you gotta be grateful for the current spawn of reptilicans-we get to see their true colors every time they stage one of their coups,but whod’ve thought anyone could be as stupid as this lot?A veritable cornucopia of incompetence and greed that will forever sully the reptilican party and ultimately lead to it’s demise.mcarthy,nixon,bush-3 strikes and they’re out.A sad day for true republicans,i.e. moderates,but a fantastic opportunity for positive change.We could be on the verge of a rennaissance-the enlightening of the zeitgeist-the birth of an informed and empowered populace rejecting socioeconomic norms and geopolitical boundaries,finding common ground in the failed policies of the status quo.The leftist tide rising out of Latin America is just the beginning of a global trend.The age of corporate america is coming to an end,and with it the rise of the Sino-Hispanic era.China is the new economic powerhouse,and Latin America is the future in more ways than one.Factor in the potential for African developement and the inherant cultural effect,the future looks interesting to say the least.We’ve seen the result of business as usual-war,poverty,disease-the marginalization of humanity,the misery of many for the fortunes of the few.Enough already.
November 1st, 2005 at 7:46 amAm I the only person (Democrat, of course) that is embarrassed by the leadership of this party? In 1990, Alito was UNANIMOUSLY approved for his current position. Once he gets the Supreme Court nom, whew, look out!
We all know he is on the far right of his party’s “fun line”. However, that does not excuse the behavior of the idiots on the Hill. Instead of focusing on his record and plotting a course of action, the dishonorable Senators Schumer and Reid foam from the mouth. Schumer especially made my blood boil by referencing Rosa Parks. This brave woman is not yet buried and she is being used as a political sound byte.
Where has the art of politics gone? Alito’s decision on spousal notification should be enough. Give the man a hearing. Leave the rhetoric alone and he will destroy himself. He may not have to answer questions concerning issues that may come up before the court, but he sure as hell has to answer for his past rulings.
The reason we have not been successful in “winning hearts and minds” is that we are unfocused. Michael Moore, Schumer, Dean and the rest of the tools who are the spokespeople for MY (and your) Democratic Party marginalize our message and prohibit us from moving forward. Think about it. When Cindy Sheehan first came on the scene I thought she was exactly what we were looking for. Months later, she has ventured into the Middle East crisis, commented on Rove, the Hurricanes and spoke about being in a “very Hispanic” neighborhood. I also believe she called the insurgents in Iraq “freedom fighters” (please correct me if I am wrong). Why can we not stay focused? Does anyone here think this advances our cause?
There is 15-20% of the population who believes in the extreme views of each party. When are we going to learn that the remaining 60-70% is what changes elections, and ultimately our country?
Thanks for letting me rant, and no, this was not a paid political announcement!
November 1st, 2005 at 11:39 am“I wasn’t aware that Italians were a seperate ethnic group,”
Please consult with Merriam-Webster, Inc.
http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/ethnic
Main Entry: ethnic
2 a : of or relating to large groups of people classed according to common racial, national, tribal, religious, linguistic, or cultural origin or background b : being a member of an ethnic group c : of, relating to, or characteristic of ethnics
November 1st, 2005 at 2:30 pmThe Drudge Report article has a 2 line comment from someone identified as a Republican strategist at the end of the article.
So really you are saying that Drudge has made this claim in the same way that every news media personality in the US claimed Israel should be wiped off the map last week. By quoting what someone else said.
Bravo.
November 1st, 2005 at 8:54 pmDrudge is openly gay, why do homophobic republicans quote him again? Oh yeah, because they’re STUPID HIPOCRITES!
November 1st, 2005 at 9:17 pmRyan- Us righties are stupid hypocrites who hate the poor, and are nazis and want to yank cable television from Afghani children …….anyway, I can’t remember all the horrible things I am so you may want to print something up so I can remember…..thanks
November 3rd, 2005 at 4:18 pmCitizenx- I haven’t laughed that hard since Ryan’s posts yesterday. You achieved cartoon status with that one! I’m pissed that you’re funnier than Ryan and me put together! Keep blogging, that was awesome!
Turk loves his fellow bloggers
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November 25th, 2005 at 2:19 pmAs someone who IS Italian, I have to say that being offended didn’t even cross my mind. I’ve been sitting here trying to figure it out; what exactly can make me feel offended about Scalito? Can anyone verify if in fact it does mean anything offensive in Italian?
I never even thought about this guy’s ethnicity when I heard the announcement. Even after I heard the nickname, all I wanted to know is what does his judicial philosophy look like? This is dirty, dirty politics being played here. Nicknames in politics are absurdly common; from Rush Limbaugh calling Al Gore “Algore” to attempt to make him seem like President Clinton’s hunchbacked henchman to Sam Seder of Air America pronouncing Frist to rhyme with “Christ,” to mock his “ability” to miraculously diagnose Terri Schiavo from the senate floor and his ability to miraculously “see” what’s in his blind trust and make a trade that alloted him millions.
To attempt to turn this nicknaming tradition in politics into anything but that is shameful.
December 5th, 2005 at 7:19 pmbuckwheat praised.patrimony cryptographic cited!bugeyed active
December 29th, 2005 at 6:55 pmclogged temptation,honor Moen?flinty jeep?… Thanks!!!
December 31st, 2005 at 4:49 am[...] President Bush is set to announce his Supreme Court nomination “do-over” with the appointment of Judge Samuel Alito from the Third Circuit Appeals Court. Already there has been much uproar over this pick as many akin him to current Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, earning him the monikers of “Scalito” and “Scalia-lite.” Despite what one Republican strategist claims is a racial slur towards Mr. Alito’s Italian heritage, Faiz of ThinkProgress highlighted five years of “liberal media” using the nicknames and explictly pointing to his “judicial philosophy” as the reason. [...]
February 8th, 2006 at 7:12 pm[...] President Bush is set to announce his Supreme Court nomination “do-over” with the appointment of Judge Samuel Alito from the Third Circuit Appeals Court. Already there has been much uproar over this pick as many akin him to current Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, earning him the monikers of “Scalito” and “Scalia-lite.” Despite what one Republican strategist claims is a racial slur towards Mr. Alito’s Italian heritage, Faiz of ThinkProgress highlighted five years of “liberal media” using the nicknames and explictly pointing to his “judicial philosophy” as the reason. [...]
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