Sam Alito - Christmas Warrior

Conservatives have decided, apparently, that they cannot make the case in favor of President Bush's Supreme Court nominees without exploiting religion and its attendant passions.

First, Bush famously answered a question about Harriet Miers' qualifications with the assertion that her religion is part of her life. Now, Samuel Alito is being drafted to fight in the War on Christmas^® on the side of the religious right.

A new ad campaign portrays Alito as a defender of Christmas against the assault of "Liberal groups like People for the American Way and the A.C.L.U."

The New York Times reports:

Fidelis, a conservative Roman Catholic group, has begun an Internet advertisement and plans to buy radio commercials with a similar theme as early as next week. "Judge Alito ruled against the A.C.L.U.'s attempt to scrub away our religious heritage," a narrator says, recalling an opinion Judge Alito wrote upholding a Jersey City display including a Nativity scene and a menorah.

Conservative organizers say the advertisements are the first salvos of a campaign of commercials, talk radio broadcasts and messages to pastors intended to capitalize on the religious feelings of the Christmas season by calling attention to the pattern of support for religious displays in Judge Alito's rulings.

"This is going to be the dominant theme on the Alito nomination until the end of the year-the convergence of a Supreme Court nomination, the Christmas season, and a judge who has a well-staked-out position on support for religious expression," said Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the Christian conservative American Center for Law and Justice and an adviser tapped by the White House to coordinate support for its nominees.

Note the token reference to Jewish symbolism. You know, 'cause some of our best friends are...

Happy Holidays!