Fourth Estate Still on the Ball

THERE we were... in the middle of the confirmation hearings of a man who will determine the future course of United States legal history. The press swarmed the events like bees on an inept gardener. And in their oh so classic fashion, what was the really big story which the Washington Post was able to scoop up ahead of the competition? Abortion? Executive privelege? Privacy rights? Nope.

Who Was That Striking Lady in Red?

Ladies and gentleman, we present the breakout star of the Alito hearings -- Rachel Brand !

Who? you ask. Exactly: She was the woman sitting right behind the nominee's left shoulder in the "who's that?" seat that turns unwitting staffers into accidental celebs during big-deal hearings.

I couldn't make this up if I tried. Now, it turns out that the woman in question - Ms. Brand - is an assistant Attorney General and has been in charge of coaching Supreme Court nominees for their Senate hearings, so you might be inclined to think she's worthy of some ink in the Post. And I'm sure she is. But rather than talking about the confirmation process, the wapo decided to post a huge photo of her, (and to give credit where credit is due, she is very attractive) and run with this:

There was that look-at-me! red suit she wore Monday, quite flattering against her pale complexion. Sorry, fellas! She's married, to her Harvard Law sweetie and fellow Justice attorney Jonathan Cohn .

The Democrats were busy rolling over like a kicked spaniel hoping for a belly rub, and the Liberal Media was swooning over Rachel's oh-so-hot pants suit. Gee... I wonder why progressive and liberal bloggers can't seem to make any inroads in the political process?