Quote of the moment: Need for mediocre leaders, Roman Hruska

August 8, 2024

If it hadn’t been said, someone would have to make it up.

President Richard Nixon nominated G. Harrold Carswell to be Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Carswell had an undistinguished career, one that might be described as “mediocre,” which engendered opposition to the nomination.

Nebraska Republican, Sen. Roman Hruska, spoke in defense of the nomination.

Even if he were mediocre, there are a lot of mediocre judges and people and lawyers. They are entitled to a little representation, aren’t they, and a little chance? We can’t have all Brandeises, Frankfurters and Cardozos.[11]

The nomination failed.

Nebraska U.S. Sen. Roman Hruska, about 1969. Photo from U.S. Senate Historical Office.


Quotes that will live in infamy: Michelle Bachmann, another history “F” (“shot heard ’round the world”)

March 14, 2011

In Concord, New Hampshire, on March 11 and 12, 2011, apparently testing to see whether that little state has bad enough education standards before announcing a presidential bid, Michelle Bachmann butchered history and geography once again, according to the conservative Minnesota Independent:

“You’re the state where the shot was heard around the world in Lexington and Concord,” she said, referencing Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “Concord Hymn,” an ode to the lives lost at the start of the American Revolution in Concord, Massachusetts, not New Hampshire.

How many bites at the apple does stupid get?  Has Ed Brayton picked up on this yet?

Minnesota U.S. Rep. Michelle Bachmann

Minnesota U.S. Rep. Michelle Bachmann

More:

Tip of the old scrub brush to Pat Carrithers.

Update:  Oh, yeah, others noticed:

Jeff Danziger on Michelle Bachmann's mixing up Concords

Jeff Danziger