Perhaps the 2005 filibuster wars depleted interest group war chests in advance of the recent nomination battles. Whatever the reason, the air wars in the federal confirmation process were tame compared with recent advertising in state Supreme Court elections, where interest groups spent more than $7 million in 2004.

After lagging behind their foes all summer and fall, liberals are turning up the heat and conservatives are unlikely to cede them the field as the confirmation hearings approach.

There's a signaling going on with this spending. Democrats who are on the margin might feel more free to support Judge Roberts this time, particularly if they feel they might oppose the next nominee.

The two have set a high standard that the department intends to maintain. The investigation continues vigorously.

No major group has spent a dime on television ads in the last week.

The heavyweight division is on the cusp of being called off for lack of interest. A hundred years ago boxing was one of the top three sports in the country. Now it's charitably twelfth on the list of top 10 sports. Therein lies its biggest problem. People have so many things to consider in the world of sports that it takes a major fighter to capture their attention.