Cirque de Roberts

Tuning in and out of the Roberts confirmation hearings offered powerful insights into the state of American political discourse. Republicans offered bombastic, gushing congratulations for Roberts' nomination as chief justice and Democrats asked meaningless hypothetical questions, neither pursuing a course that offered much substance to the American people. Ted Kennedy was by far the most annoying or entertaining part of the circus (depending on your perspective), generously sacrificing his dignity, manners and limited intelligence for the sake of appearing tough on Roberts. From it all, I walked away with the opinion that Roberts is incredibly articulate and patient in the face of redundant, stupid questions and, if that's what it takes to be the chief justice of the Supreme Court, he's in.

Seriously, though, I couldn't help but wonder what point the hearings actually serve. The vote is divided along partisan lines and there is little mystery about who will vote in which way. Many of the senators who were supposed to question Roberts spent their 20 minutes on a soapbox delivering a campaign speech instead of engaging in an honest discourse into the philosophies of a man who could have a profound effect on America's future as a republic. Are the hearings supposed to be a demonstration of the democratic process in action or a pro forma show the Congress puts on for the public?

Regardless of the answer, the hearings felt more like a circus. Just like going to Barnum & Bailey's as a child or even Cirque du Soleil as an adult -- it's always entertaining at first but, after a little while, the antics get redundant and the clowns all start to look the same. Even the most wondrous stunts seem trite by the end.