Even before David Souter takes his place as the 105th Justice of the Supreme Court, he has been assured a place in history. Well into the next century, future court nominees are certain to pore over videotapes of his Senate Judiciary Committee hearings, searching for inspiration on how to win easy confirmation. Souter's low-key, courteous performance was so skillful that the final 90-to-9 vote for his confirmation on the Senate floor last week sparked little emotional debate. Kate Michelman, director of the National Abortion Rights Action League, simply called the Senate vote a "dangerous leap of faith."
The fact was that...
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