The Raleigh News and Observer provides another fine example of subtle bias in a story about two nominees to sit on the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals. Bush has appointed two Americans with North Carolina ties and each happens to be a black Republican. One, however, apparently cannot be forgiven for his 1984 stint as a spokesman for Sen. Jesse Helms (that's right, the allegedly racist Sen. Helms had a black spokesman), and the story foreshadows the coming attack from the Democrats.
The N&O article, which was picked up by the AP, introduces Allyson Duncan by noting that her nomination "has been expected for months." Claude Allen is introduced as living in Virginia, "so neither North Carolina senator could block his nomination under a Senate tradition that has effectively allowed members to veto picks from their home states." The implication, of course, that an NC Senator would (or should?) veto him. No mention of the fact that Ms. Duncan lives in North Carolina and therefore cannot be vetoed by Virginia's senators. Oh well.
After explaining the support (which is much deserved) that Ms. Duncan has received from Sen. John Edwards (D-NH, IA) and a law school dean, we're told not that Sen. Elizabeth Dole supports Allen, only that she supports having a confirmation hearing. Whatever. Then, the kicker. After reviewing Allen's accomplishments, we get this stand alone paragraph.
Allen has no previous experience as a judge.And neither does Duncan, but this gets no mention. I wonder why.
