This was political kabuki theater at its clear worst.

The Wisconsin Supreme Courtroom steadiness may tip leftward in a basic election in April. On his new Saturday Present on MSNBC, Jonathan Capehart invited on the liberal candidate Janet Protasiewicz. The clear intent was to sign to voters and donors how she would vote on key points earlier than the courtroom, notably abortion.

Capehart dutifully performed his function within the farce by saying:

“I do know you’d by no means inform us the way you’d rule on any specific case, however . . . “

After all, the “however” was what her look was all about.

And Protasiewicz then carried out her scripted half, saying:

“I admire the way in which you structured that query [bet she did!]. I have been very, very cautious to share with individuals what my values are. However to additionally point out that my values wouldn’t have management over how I might rule or vote in any case. .  . . . Clearly, I am not foreshadowing a method through which I might be voting”

Ri-i-i-ight. Not foreshadowing in any respect—clearly! Completely no solution to guess how she’d vote! And simply what are these “values” in relation to abortion?

“Once I discuss my values one in all my values is {that a} lady ought to have a proper to decide on in regard to her reproductive well being care choices . . . The underside line is that call needs to be yours.“

Capehart would possibly as properly have had a flashing display screen graphic: “Vote/Donate To Protasiewicz! She’ll strike down Wisconsin legislation proscribing abortion!!!” Even The New York Occasions has reported “Decide Protasiewicz has pioneered what could also be a brand new type of judicial campaigning. She has brazenly proclaimed her views on abortion rights (she’s for them) and the state’s legislative maps (she’s in opposition to them).”

Protasiewicz additionally condemned the “extremism” of the present courtroom, which has a conservative majority. She needs to get again to “regular.” As a result of, you recognize, there’s nothing extra “regular,” and non-extreme, than supporting abortion up-to-the-minute of start with no restrictions!

Be aware: Wisconsin’s Democrat Lawyer Basic has introduced a lawsuit searching for to overturn the state legislation prohibiting abortion besides when the mom’s life is threatened. Studying between the traces of this article, it seems like he’s slow-walking the case in order that it will not come earlier than the Supreme Courtroom till after the April election, hoping that Protasiewicz will probably be there to forged the deciding vote.

On his MSNBC Saturday Present, Jonathan Capehart giving a stage to abortion-pushing Wisconsin Supreme Courtroom candidate Janet Protasiewicz was sponsored partly by Verizon, Flonase, and Amazon.

Here is the transcript.

MSNBC
The Saturday Present With Jonathan Capehart
2/25/23
9:23 am ET

JONATHAN CAPEHART: Becoming a member of me now could be Decide Janet Protasiewicz, candidate for the Wisconsin Supreme Courtroom. Decide Protasiewicz, thanks very a lot for coming to the Saturday Present. Why ought to the nation take note of the Wisconsin Supreme Courtroom election?

JANET PROTASIEWICZ: Effectively, the stakes are enormous. Not simply the problems which are going to be coming earlier than the Wisconsin Supreme Courtroom within the subsequent 12 months or two, however the whole lot is on the desk. You realize, equity, equality, change.

We’ve had a really hyperpartisan Supreme Courtroom within the State of Wisconsin. Quite a lot of extremism. And we’re working very, very exhausting to place it again, to place it again to regular. To vary, to widespread sense. And truly evaluating the problems and the instances with no finger on the dimensions. Trying on the legislation and upholding the structure.

CAPEHART: I do know you’d by no means inform us the way you’d rule on any specific case however, why must you prevail on April 4th and never your conservative opponent, Daniel Kelly, who’s a former state Supreme Courtroom justice?

PROTASIEWICZ: Effectively, I have been very cautious, and I admire the way in which you structured that query. I have been very, very cautious to share with individuals what my values are. However to additionally point out that my values wouldn’t have management over how I might rule or vote in any case. 

Once I discuss my values, one in all my values is {that a} lady ought to have a proper to decide on in regard to her reproductive well being care choices. Actually speak to your loved ones, speak to your physician, speak to your religion group. However the backside line is that call needs to be yours. 

I anticipate that that subject goes to return earlier than our Wisconsin Supreme Courtroom, and I simply indicated earlier, clearly I am not, you recognize, foreshadowing a method through which I might be voting, however, you recognize, that could be a query that will probably be coming earlier than us.