A couple quick thoughts on the contretemps about just what Jamie Thistlethwaite told the Sonoma County Democratic Central Committee about her opposition to the death penalty and how (whether?) it would affect her as a judge.

Is it any wonder that U.S. Supreme Court nominees seemingly have no opinions about anything and can barely recall what they ate for breakfast when they’re questioned at Senate confirmation hearings?

And, in a county that hasn’t seen a death penalty case in more than a decade, was it a political blunder for Chris Mazzia, Thistlethwaite’s opponent in the June 8 election, to highlight her opposition to capital punishment?

— Jim Sweeney