Party hacks, sycophants and political cronies

Have always called the Supreme Court home.

Cronies? Did someone say cronies? Yes, indeed. For this is what the court has been -- off and on, but mostly on --throughout its history.

If you were to categorize Supreme Court nominees according to the reason presidents chose them, the slot for ``Presidential Pal'' would quickly flood over -- while the category ``Distinguished Constitutional Scholar'' would be significantly less populated than ``Sop to Special Interests.''

The Supreme Court, in other words, has seldom been a showcase of intellectual distinction. To judge by her background and public writings, the choice of Miers appears in line with the court's most hallowed traditions.