Cynical White House Nominates Pro-Abortion Palin Appointee to Ninth Circuit

The White House announced the President’s latest nomination to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals today, current Alaska Supreme Court Justice Morgan Christen. On the verge of a bitter defeat over Goodwin Liu’s nomination to the very same court, I’m absolutely sure that this little factoid from 2009 is no coincidence:

In a move that should give social conservatives great pause, Governor Sarah Palin has appointed a former board member of Planned Parenthood to the Alaska State Supreme Court.

Palin appointed Anchorage Superior Court Judge Morgan Christen to the state’s highest court on Wednesday.

There is no disputing Palin’s appointment of Christen with her association with Planned Parenthood will cause the Alaska Supreme to lean left and will ensure a more activist court when it comes to gay marriage, and abortion. The Christen appointment is key because she replaces justice Warren Mathews, one of the dissenting votes striking down the parental consent legislation.

Isn’t it wonderful to finally have a White House run by grownups who refuse to play silly political games, especially with matters as consequential as a lifetime judicial appointment? Terrific.

Note to the White House: if you think the fact that Sarah Palin nominated Christen to her current position will immunize her from close scrutiny, and criticism where warranted, you’ve grossly underestimated the current strength of the conservative movement. In fact, Palin came under criticism for this at the time (kudos Ed Morrissey), and I’m sure Christen’s pro-abortion views will be a significant factor in her evaluation by the Senate.

But in reality I’m sure they are counting on this criticism, and are no doubt looking to use this as a wedge opportunity against pro-life conservatives and the GOP in general heading into 2012. And perhaps a knock-out blow against Palin should she decide to run. But more the former I think.

Typical, cynical, liberal politics from the President of hope and change. I’m sure I would disagree with many of Justice Christen’s views on the law, but she probably does not deserve to be a pawn in this cynical political game.

Then again. She no doubt knew what she was getting into with this and could have always declined the nomination. I look forward to learning more about her record. Will publish anything interesting I find.