Or you could act like responsible statesmen...oh wait, you're Republicans.

After boldly deciding to take a stand on an issue, the GOP looks around desperately for a reason why:

A week before her Senate hearings, Republicans are floundering in their efforts to trip up Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, unable to find an effective message about why she's not fit to serve...

There are good reasons for Republicans to be holding back, wondering what their best approach is to opposing a nominee who's broadly acknowledged to be qualified and whose past rulings make it difficult to pigeonhole her as a liberal crusader.

Hey, guys, how about this for a brilliant idea: maybe if you can't think of a reason to oppose her nomination, don't oppose her nomination.

Oh, wait, sorry, I realize now that doing that would require you to be sensible leaders - "statesmen," we used to call them - who take the good of the country into account instead of grabbing at any opportunity to indulge in meaningless grandstanding. Instead, you are the modern-day GOP. Carry on, carry on...

P.S. - Chris and I have had our differences as to which party is the wearer of more ridiculous hats. See above. I win forever.