ABC's Sam Donaldson Hypes: Al Gore for the Supreme Court

Published: 4/22/2010 2:52 PM ET

On Thursday's Good Morning America, ABC journalist Sam Donaldson touted a liberal hero for the Supreme Court, one that even made George Stephanopoulos chuckle: Al Gore. After arguing that Barack Obama should choose a politician, Donaldson enthused, "Let's go further...I give you Al Gore." [Audio available here.]

The veteran reporter, who was participating in GMA's Morning Mix panel, argued his case for the former Democratic presidential nominee: "He's 62. But, he's still a few years kicking [sic]. I think he's confirmable, although there would be a fight to some extent. I think he might make a very good justice."

Stephanopoulos, a former Democratic operative, incredulously responded, "There would be a massive fight!" He then broke out laughing. Donaldson, perhaps realizing the unlikely nature of this liberal fantasy, conceded, "I said to some extent." He, too, started laughing.

GMA's Morning Mix segment has quickly turned into a panel of journalists touting left-wing conventional wisdom. Thursday's edition, in addition to Stephanopoulos and Donaldson, also included former Democratic operative Donna Brazile and liberal sportswriter Christine Brennan.

Arguing for the President to not go soft with his Supreme Court pick, she lobbied, "You know, from a sports perspective here: You win, to the victor goes the spoils. And the President has absolutely every right, as any other president, it seems to me, to pick whoever he wants. Litmus test or no litmus test."

The March 12 Morning Mix featured a chorus of liberal voices to sympathize with Democrats Patrick Kennedy and Eric Massa.

A transcript of the April 22 segment, which aired at 8:18am EDT, follows:

GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Let's do a little politics right now. The President heading up to Wall Street right now. In the meantime, Sam, he's right in the middle of deliberations again on another supreme court pick. Replacing Justice Stevens. Who are you thinking about?

SAM DONALDSON: Well, my pick would be Janet Napolitano. She's made a star of herself in the cabinet. A puff piece in the Washington Post this morning.

STEPHANOPOULOS: The Secretary of Homeland Security.

DONALDSON: That's right. Exactly. She faced the voters in Arizona. They liked her. And I like the idea that not just federal judges. I have nothing against judges should be on the court. And I'll give you another name. Let's go further. The Constitution does not say you have to be a lawyer to be on the Supreme Court.

STEPHANOPOULOS: That's right.

DONALDSON: I give you Al Gore.

STEPHANOPOULOS: [Seemingly shocked] Al Gore?

DONALDSON: All right. He's 62. But, he's still a few years kicking [sic]. I think he's confirmable, although there would be a fight to some extent. I think he might make a very good justice.

STEPHANOPOULOS [Incredulous]: There would be a massive fight! [Laughs]

DONALDSON: I said to some extent. [Laughs]

STEPHANOPOULOS: [to Brazile]: You was his campaign manager, you think he wants it?

DONNA BRAZILE: He would be qualified. But with a Nobel Prize and Oscar, I think Al Gore's going to continue to fight for climate change. Look, I like a lot of the names on the short list and the short-short list. There's a lot of qualified people. And some great women. And so, I'm one of these people that would like to encourage the President to put another court on the court. And, yes, a female version of Justice Alito.

DONALDSON: What about Janet Napolitano?

BRAZILE: I like that name. I like Elena Kagan. I like all of them. Judge Sears. Give me any of 'em.

DONALDSON: In other words, if it's a woman, it's okay with you.

BRAZILE: Absolutely.

CHRISTINE BRENNAN: With 50/50 in the nation, and not they're not there on the court, that makes a lot of sense.

DONALDSON: You actually have more than 50 percent of the population.

BRENNAN: 51, as a matter of fact.

BRAZILE [Motioning to the panel] This is 50/50.

BRENNAN: And I'm intrigued, when we hear that people say, no litmus test on this or that. You know, from a sports perspective here: You win, to the victor goes the spoils. And the President has absolutely every right, as any other president, it seems to me, to pick whoever he wants. Litmus test or no litmus test.

DONALDSON: But, he hasn't come clean on that. He actually said, there's no litmus test.

STEPHANOPOULOS: You know there is.

DONALDSON: On the other hand, when it comes to females using their body, we know where he stands.

BRAZILE: He respects individuals rights. And also women's rights. And I also think the President has high regards for the Supreme Court. He's a constitutional lawyer. He did a fantastic job with Judge Sotomayor.