Means to an End

President Art Hockstader: Oh, there have been moments where I've questioned your methods.
Joe Cantwell: Well, you got to fight fire with fire, Mr President.
President Art Hockstader: And the end justifies the means, huh?
Joe Cantwell: Yes, I believe that.
President Art Hockstader: Well, son, I got news for you about both politics and life--and may I say that the two are exactly the same? There are no ends, Joe, only means.
--The Best Man

The circus that the left has made of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearings is not about the nominee himself. Although leftists make it appear that they don't like him, it is not personal. It is business.

As Prof Williams observes, this charade is about the Constitution. The left despises the Constitution. If confirmed, Kavanaugh threatens to tilt the balance of the high court in favor of more constitutionally grounded rulings.

This is unacceptable to the left, and they will do whatever it takes to prevent this from occurring. Oddly, though, even if leftists believe they must try to take down the person to achieve their goal, it is not about the person. Other nominees would be subject to similar smear tactics.

Instead, the left sees it as merely a means to an end.