Jesse Jackson wanted to be a U.S. senator from D.C. Not just a “shadow senator,” but a real one. For that reason—though not solely that reason—he’d often say,  “Statehood for the District of Columbia is the most important civil rights issue in America today.” Proponents have been saying as much ever since, including just last week.

My response has always been that, if true, this is fantastic news—because it would mean we have no serious civil rights issue in this country.

Bear in mind, I don’t think this is actually true. But if it were, that would be tantamount to saying, “problem solved.” Because D.C. statehood, while a legitimate issue to debate, isn’t a particularly important issue on the terms stated by its advocates.

Partisanship in fancy clothes.