This was political kabuki theater at its clear worst.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court docket stability may tip leftward in a normal 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 court docket, notably abortion.

Capehart dutifully performed his position 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 recognize the best way 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 would not have management over how I’d rule or vote in any case. .  . . . Clearly, I am not foreshadowing a means by which I’d be voting”

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

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

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

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

Word: Wisconsin’s Democrat Lawyer Common has introduced a lawsuit in search of to overturn the state regulation prohibiting abortion besides when the mom’s life is threatened. Studying between the traces of this article, it feels like he’s slow-walking the case in order that it will not come earlier than the Supreme Court docket 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 Court docket candidate Janet Protasiewicz was sponsored partially 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 Court docket. Decide Protasiewicz, thanks very a lot for coming to the Saturday Present. Why ought to the nation take note of the Wisconsin Supreme Court docket election?

JANET PROTASIEWICZ: Nicely, the stakes are enormous. Not simply the problems which are going to be coming earlier than the Wisconsin Supreme Court docket within the subsequent yr or two, however all the things is on the desk. , equity, equality, change.

We’ve got had a really hyperpartisan Supreme Court docket within the State of Wisconsin. A variety of extremism. And we’re working very, very arduous to place it again, to place it again to regular. To vary, to frequent sense. And really evaluating the problems and the instances and not using a finger on the size. Trying on the regulation 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 Court docket justice?

PROTASIEWICZ: Nicely, I have been very cautious, and I recognize the best way 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 would not have management over how I’d rule or vote in any case. 

After I discuss my values, one in all my values is {that a} girl ought to have a proper to decide on in regard to her reproductive well being care selections. Definitely speak to your loved ones, speak to your physician, speak to your religion neighborhood. However the backside line is that call ought to be yours. 

I anticipate that that difficulty goes to come back earlier than our Wisconsin Supreme Court docket, and I simply indicated earlier, clearly I am not, , foreshadowing a means by which I’d be voting, however, , that may be a query that will probably be coming earlier than us.