Can Sotomayor Pass The Biden Test?

When President Bush nominated Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court, Sen. Joe Biden had this to say:

I think that the only reason Clarence Thomas is on the Court is because he is black. I don't believe he could have won had he been white. And the reason is, I think it was a cynical ploy by President Bush.

It's two decades later. Clarence Thomas has proven himself a smart, tough, and effective jurist. Joe Biden is now vice president - and his administration has made what looks very like a pick motivated by affirmative action considerations. Maybe somebody should ask Joe Biden whether Sonia Sotomayor would have been nominated if she had been male and white. And the great thing about Joe Biden is -- the guy might blurt the truth.