Are You Now, or Have You Ever Been, a Member of the Federalist Society?

Professor Adler observes:

This week, Senate Democrats have poked and prodded Judge Neil Gorsuch in an effort to derail his confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court. They’ve asked about his judicial opinions, his writings, his work for the George W. Bush administration, and even his dissertation adviser. Throughout it all, Gorsuch has been largely unflappable, revealing that he is precisely what all who know him already knew: He’s an intelligent and conscientious, mainstream conservative judge who cares deeply about the judicial craft.

Not content to let the Gorsuch nomination sail through, some have sought to suggest he’s unfit because of who nominated him or who supports him. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), for one, spent time challenging Gorsuch to disavow the “dark money” supporting his confirmation. Others have expressed dismay that Gorsuch is a member of the Federalist Society and was recommended to the president by the Society’s executive vice president, Leonard Leo, who has taken a leave from the organization to work on the nomination.

“Neil Gorsuch Was Hatched in a Federalist Society Lab,” proclaims Dahlia Lithwick’s latest article for Slate. “We Must Filibuster Gorsuch’s Federalist Society Agenda,” screams an op-ed circulated on progressive websites. Repeating what have become common progressive talking points, the author portrays the Society as a secretive cabal advancing a sinister, “pro-corporate, anti-civil rights agenda.”

Pro Publica ridiculously calls the Federalist Society a “secretive” organization. Their memory seems awfully short.