Just to echo what Jamison wrote in regards to the WashPost's Ben Pershing's observation that the Sotomayor battle is unfolding just like previous SCOTUS show-downs. From Pershing's vantage point, Democrats and Republicans have assumed their predictable roles, with opponents making the exact same charges against the nominee that are always made.

Inside the Village, they've seen this act before. Nothing new this time around.

Because c'mon folks, Supreme Court nominees always get tagged as racists--early and often, in fact--when they face a confirmation, right? Don't act like Democrats didn't brand Roberts and Alito as racists right after their names were put forward by President Bush. We all know they did.

Because that's what always happens in these battles, which is why the press had such a ho-hum reaction when an array of high-profile conservatives branded and demeaned Sotomayor a racist. The press didn't really blink, let alone object. Why? Because that ugly charge gets thrown around all the time during Supreme Court nominations.

No, really.