Something unusual happened on the way to this week's nomination hearings for Judge Samuel Alito: Reporters scoffed at the ridiculousness of Sen. Ted Kennedy. Notably, one columnist called his antics "meandering and listless" and suggested Mr. Kennedy is beyond his prime. It's about time: Mr. Kennedy and his 1960s mental furniture cannot square a modern nominee, much less a conservative one. So the spectacle of an angry and rambling Mr. Kennedy yesterday accusing Judge Alito of "support for an all-powerful president" and other baseless charges can only increase the guffaws.

Who would have ever thought Steady Teddy would be considered "meandering and listless?" Oh, wait, we've been saying that for years. I'm glad the media finally caught on.