Thoughts on the Federalist Society Convention
As usual, the Federalist Society put on a terrific CLE. The speakers from both right and left always promise spirited debate. One thing I could have done without was all the politicians. Cheney, McCain, Barbour, and Arlen were just about more than I could take. Word on the street was that at least 2 of them were not originally scheduled but wormed their way onto the docket.
I actually enjoyed McCain’s speech. He came out and admitted that the GOP lost the election because it had strayed from the principles of limited government. It had, in his words, become just like the Democrats. Haley Barbour made similar points. McCain’s speech was refreshing, but that sensation wore off when one contemplates his voting record and realizes that he is as much to blame for the GOP era of big government as anyone else with a vote in Congress.
Inviting all the pols does run the risk of the Federalist Society being seen as the legal arm of the GOP. The Society, of course, is much more than that–as anyone who attended the myriad panel discussions can attest. All in all–a good convention.
“Inviting all the pols does run the risk of the Federalist Society being seen as the legal arm of the GOP.”
you’ve already lost that battle. no doubt you are correct when you say the fedsocs are not actually the legal arm of the gop, but the perception is certainly that the two go hand in hand.
In this context, all that’s really necessary to be perceived as an arm of the Republican party, is to not be an arm of the Democratic party. The battle was hopeless from the start.
The real risk they’re running is of actually becoming such an arm.