Houston Democrats

Answer: John Cornyn

Unfortunately, this is for real. The Houston Chronicle reports the possibility in today's paper.

Cornyn's spokesman, Don Stewart reports that "He is very happy being a senator." Of course Stewart added, "You can never rule out something like that, but it is not something he is looking for or something he has asked for."

I guess this is one way Cornyn could "fix" his perceived "concern" about "activist judges" and acts of violence.

Here's Cornyn's infamous remarks before the Senate on the Supreme Court:

"It causes a lot of people, including me, great distress to see judges use the authority that they have been given to make raw political or ideological decisions," he said. Sometimes, he said, "the Supreme Court has taken on this role as a policymaker rather than an enforcer of political decisions made by elected representatives of the people."

Cornyn continued: "I don't know if there is a cause-and-effect connection, but we have seen some recent episodes of courthouse violence in this country.... And I wonder whether there may be some connection between the perception in some quarters, on some occasions, where judges are making political decisions yet are unaccountable to the public, that it builds up and builds up and builds up to the point where some people engage in, engage in violence. Certainly without any justification, but a concern that I have."

You may remember that these comments were in response to the Supreme Court's 5 to 4 decision on March 1st that it is unconstitutional to execute people who were under 18 when they committed their crime(s). I always find it ironic that the administration refuses to allow federal funding for scientific research that could help save lives, reduce the prevalence of certain diseases, and ease the pain and suffering of thousands of Americans, but has no problem with putting people to death. However, not just any people, but also minors, possibly minors with mental illnesses that impair their judgement.

Obviously, Cornyn is another "culture of life" Republican.

Here's a shortlist of potential Supreme Court nominees:

Michael McConnell, Judge on the 10th US Circuit Court of Appeals
J. Michael Luttig, a Texan on the Richmond, Virginia 4th US Circuit
John Roberts Jr., Judge on the District of Columbia Circuit
Alberto Gonzales, US Attorney General

Then there is the second-tier list of potential nominees (although being in the "not-so-good" category has worked for certain previous candidates as remarked upon by Bush: "Yes even C students can become president.")

John Cornyn, US Senator of Texas
Larry Thompson, former deputy to former Attorney General John Ashcroft
Ted Olson, former US Solicitor General
Emilio Miller Garza, 5th US Circuit (New Orleans)
Edith Jones, 5th US Circuit (New Orleans)
Samuel Alito Jr., 3rd US Circuit (Philadelphia)

Another possibility:

Miguel Estrada, laywer and former assistant to Ted Olson, nominated to the US Court of Appeal for the District of Columbia, but withdrew his nomination in 2003 after not being confirmed for two years

I'm glad to know that Cornyn is under consideration. I was afraid that our Supreme Court was becoming too "activist." With real legislative experience like Cornyn's, I'm sure it will gain a much needed moderate and cooperative voice (sarcasm abounds in this sentence).

Read more about Cornyn and his possible consideration for a position on the Supreme Court here.