Ted Barlow and Matt Yglesias both make similar comments about this Instapundit posting on the Estrada nomination. Here is what the Instapundit said:
DEMOCRATS THREATEN RACIST FILIBUSTER! That’s the message of this commercial on the Estrada nomination, anyway. Hmm. And just as the controversy over Russell Long heats up.
I sense a disturbance in the Force, one that I have not felt since, well, the last time Karl Rove pulled one of these sucker-punch operations.
When I read that this morning, I thought he was actually making fun of the people who were airing the commerical, because this is so clearly not about race. This is about ideology, this is about the Democrats asserting some power to appease their base, this is about Democrats making a stand- to prove to themselves that they can. Even if this nomination passes, they will consider it a success, because they have become somewhat more united.
At any rate, I thought the Instapundit was making fun of the commerical because this is so clearly not about race- that it was the kind of race-baiting the other side normally engages in when you say something bad about any black Democrat. Make fun of Sharpton- you are a racist. It has nothing to do with the fact that he is a flaming idiot (albeit a charismatic one). That is what I thought the Instapundit meant- particularly when you throw in the ‘disturbance in the Force’ comment- meaning, something is not right- the Republicans are squealing racism.
Here is what Matt had to say:
So why is it that when Republicans absurdly accuse the Democrats of racism for not confirming Miguel Estrada that Glenn Reynolds links approvingly to the charge? Aren’t conservatives (er … libertarians, I mean) supposed to be opposed to “playing the race card” no matter who’s doing the playing?
and Ted:
The conservative grasp for victim status in the Estrada nomination is really galling. I’d like to say that it will come back to haunt them. But who’s going to call them on it? Christ, even Glenn has swallowed the Kool-Aid.
I don’t think Glenn has swallowed any kool-aid, but maybe I am wrong. Regardless, if you want to know who is to blame for all this, you should look in the mirror. When you endorse candidates, political operatives, and cheer people like Atrios, who manage to find a racist behind every tree, you devalue the discussion on race. Essentially, calling someone a racist anymore is an empty charge- it is like calling them white.
*** Update ***
John Cole says I’m misconstruing InstaPundit’s comments about the GOP ad accusing the Democrats of racism for failing to confirm Miguel Estrada. Maybe I am, but I really don’t think so. The larger points stands, however. If the Democrats were running an ad making a clearly false accusation of racism against the Senate GOP, conservatives would be all over it. I’m not hearing anything this time around. Note that even John can’t really bring himself to say he doesn’t approve of this ad, instead to him it’s just another example of how liberals have poisoned the political discourse.
To be fair, I can see how he could interpret that, but I thought my position was clear. I think this ad is stupid, wrong, and indicative of everything that is evil and divisive about today’s racial politics. This filibuster has NOTHING to do about race (well- it does now- but only because of these wrongheaded claims by some in the GOP), and I don’t approve of people playing games like this, regardless of their political affiliation.
*** Update #2 ***
I sure am not being very clear today. I am not in favor of the filibuster, either. I think it is cynical and stupid, but I expect that from Leahy and CO. Check out this letter from all the living former Solicitors General (spelling?) stating that Leahy’s request for info is out of line.