One of Richard Nixon's failed nominees to the Supreme Court, G. Harrold Carswell, was judged by most observers to be a pretty mediocre choice. Sen. Roman Hruska attempted to turn that into a positive: "There are a lot of mediocre judges and people and lawyers," said the Nebraska Republican. "They are entitled to a little representation, aren't they?" And that's the best explanation I can divine for the enduring managing career of Jerry Manuel.