Why, oh why, is Clarence Thomas kicking sand in John Roberts's face?

[skip fox]

According to Politico it's due to Roberts's institutional approach concerning Roe v. Wade?

Thomas’ blunt remarks suggest new antagonism toward Roberts and added to the uncertainty regarding the ultimate ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, expected by the end of June.

Roberts, with his institutionalist approach, is positioned as the one justice who might generate a compromise opinion that stops short of completely overturning Roe v. Wade, at least this year. That would thwart an outcome that Thomas has worked toward for decades.

If Thomas, who was touting the SC's apolitical and collegial nature in the past, even the recent past, why is he suddenly lashing out? If he's so worried about Roe v. Wade being watered down, does that suggest he also leaked Alito's draft to make it difficult for the other judges to back away?

To my mind, the leak has Clarence and Ginni Thomas's fingerprints all over it.

[Irish_Dem]

1. Yes he is being uncharacteristically verbal and involved all of a sudden.

I agree, something is up with him.

[blogslug]

2. I think Thomas has been salty about Roberts ever since GWB nominated him for Chief Justice

Clarence thought he or his buddy Antonin deserved that job. That's what I think.

[Walleye]

3. Right wingers collect up grudges and nurse them. Sometimes we don't know what the vendetta is about

[Baitball Blogger]

4. I think Clarence is so committed and desparate to this end because this is the something for

something. Quid pro quo. They saved his bacon during the Anita Hill scenario, and now it's pay back time.

His desperation and singular objective is going to make him sloppy. The other right-wing conservatives would be foolish to follow his lead.

[in2herbs]

5. Just some rambling thought: what if Alioto had planned to release the Dobbs decision

on the first day of the 1/6 public hearings to dampen the publicity of the 1/6 hearings but somebody figured this out and leaked the draft, thereby the USSC decision will not get the attention he was planning on using to pull attention from the 1/6 hearings?

This leads back to Thomas and Ginni.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

6. Roberts has lost control of the SCOTUS

[Hekate]

8. If we retain the Senate, perhaps he could be persuaded to retire from this mess & a new Chief...

…could be appointed.
A girl can dream, can’t she?

[Tom Kitten]

7. Maybe, finally....

After all these years his inner asshole is starting to emerge.
Hopefully verbal incontinence will continue to stain whatever reputation he has left.

[Zeitghost]

9. People read far too much into written opinions

The justices don't take them personally, it's business, nothing more. Scalia used to pen scathing dissents when Ginsburg and other left leaning justices were in the majority. Then they would get the families together for a holiday meal or go on vacation together. They could fiercely disagree with each other and still care about each other as friends and fellow humans. A difference in opinion over politics or judicial philosophy should not lead to hate. We could all learn from their example.

[milestogo]

10. Fuck Clarence Thomas, the President who nominated him, and the Senate that confirmed him.

What a horrible justice he turned out to be.