Morning thoughts

Am almost entirely skipping coverage of the Sotomayor hearings. I guess it's in part because it's pretty clear that she's going to be confirmed -- making all of this pure kibuki -- and also because, while extremely qualified and rumoredly sympatico with Obama, Sotomayor is also pretty moderate as possible nominees go. So I'm not that invested in getting every glimpse of her in action or leaning in for applause lines.

This also brings me back to the thought that Obama really needs to light a fire under the healthcare reform business. Too many of his moves so far have been tailored to avoid spending much (or any) of his political capital and popularity -- thus the avoidance of action on gay issues, the careful selection of a noncontroversial Court nominee, and many other delicate maneouvers -- so that it could all be available on this one critical issue. He needs to weigh in in no uncertain terms so that (a) it has a chance of getting done before the August recess (and the chance of everything backsliding with a view towards fall elections) and (b) he can gear up the rest of his game on other fronts. I realize that he's working under the dual burdens of (1) a struggling economy that probably needs more stimulus before it will turn around and (2) the selective lens of the media, which is much more interested in Michael Jackson (or insert the issue/celeb of the day) than in whatever speeches Obama may be making to generate momentum on healthcare, but that's just how it is. There are a lot of sharp minds in the White House; they should be able to energize this more completely. Get moving!