Supreme Court Watch: Bush's pick is already made

The Monk watched Fred D. Thompson, former Senator (R-Tenn.), current actor and speaker of one of the best lines in movie history ("Russians don't take a dump, son, without a plan" -- The Hunt for Red October). Thompson is a former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and is taking time to work with the White House to guide the President (and his nominee) through the Supreme Court nomination process. Thompson was on Brit Hume's show on FoxNews last night to discuss precisely how he is going to help shepherd the President's first Supreme Court nominee through the approval process.

Hume's first statement in the interview was: I am assuming that at this time you don't know who the President's nominee is . . .

Thompson: That's correct.

Simultaneous with the end of his answer, Thompson turned his head to the right and shifted the coffee cup on the table in front of him and moved it to his right. He then looked up at Hume and his mouth curled upward for a moment.

Boys and girls: those are called "tells". Thompson was bluffing.

In other words, Thompson KNOWS who Bush will nominate (and so does the President himself, natch). Although Thompson is well-regarded in the Senate and has good relations with both sides of the aisle. But Thompson has been brought on for a specific nominee, most likely one with whom he has a personal relationship.

There's no question in my mind that the President knows RIGHT NOW exactly who he will nominate. The multi-week delay between O'Connor's retirement and naming the next nominee is therefore being used by the White House to mobilize its support for the nominee, ramp up for the fight that Sen. Schumer wants, and to drive the message that qualifications count, ideology does not (hence, continually pounding the "Ruth Bader Ginsburg leftie nutter judge flew through the confirmation vote by 96-3" drum). Simply stated, July will be groundwork for the announcement so the President can get his message men (Ed Gillespie, Ken Mehlman, Thompson) out to set the tone.

I'm hoping the nominee is good and this all works.