I remember when snotty liberals - some bloggers! - tried to inform the public of
Rehnquist's record and views and official DC largely closed ranks. In part, I think, keeping with the general culture of maintaining the myths of the divine priesthood. In part because in the aftermath of Bush v. Gore there was added cultural pressure to "reassure the country" or some shit like that. In part, of course, because, well, lots of people agreed with him!
