The Miers Mess
The Miers Mess
I have been reading and reading various opinions on President Bush’s recent nomination of Ms. Harriett Miers to replace the outgoing Associate Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.
Overall, it seems for NOW that this is not one of Bush’s finer moments.
Two – of the many – pieces I have looked at that deserve a reading are:
One by conservative talk show host (and retired Army officer) Geoff Metcalf. (Hat tip: NewsMax.com.)
The other is by British-born, gay activist writer Andrew Sullivan. (Hat tip: realclearpolitics.)
Of these two writers, I obviously am in agreement with Metcalf 90%-plus of the time, whereas I am probably in agreement with Sullivan about 10% of the time.
Nonetheless, they both analyze the Miers nomination and why it was made. Neither of them gives Bush high marks for this move.
This is not to say that Miers should not be confirmed. Nor is this to say that she is not competent. Nor is this to say that she will not be confirmed.
This is to say that Bush has managed to poke a good portion of his base in the eye for no reason at a time when he could use their support.
People were expecting an established, known, solid Conservative jurist – such as Michael Luttig or Janice Rogers Brown – to be picked. And they were expecting that kind of pick because of the kind of campaign promises Bush had made on the subject of Supreme Court nominations.
On the positive side, however, three key Evangelical leaders – James Dobson, Jerry Falwell, and – now – Pat Roberston have all endorsed Miers for the Supreme Court job for which she has been nominated.
Moreover, two of Bush’s most outspoken (and prominent) Conservative critics over the Miers selection – Pat Buchanan and Paul Weyrich – have both stated that they are willing to keep an open mind on the subject, pending Miers’ performance in Senate hearings.
The funny thing is – when all is said and done – history JUST MAY the Harriett Miers nomination as one of Bush’s most politically astute moves.
Stay tuned: The fun has only just begun.
I have been reading and reading various opinions on President Bush’s recent nomination of Ms. Harriett Miers to replace the outgoing Associate Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.
Overall, it seems for NOW that this is not one of Bush’s finer moments.
Two – of the many – pieces I have looked at that deserve a reading are:
One by conservative talk show host (and retired Army officer) Geoff Metcalf. (Hat tip: NewsMax.com.)
The other is by British-born, gay activist writer Andrew Sullivan. (Hat tip: realclearpolitics.)
Of these two writers, I obviously am in agreement with Metcalf 90%-plus of the time, whereas I am probably in agreement with Sullivan about 10% of the time.
Nonetheless, they both analyze the Miers nomination and why it was made. Neither of them gives Bush high marks for this move.
This is not to say that Miers should not be confirmed. Nor is this to say that she is not competent. Nor is this to say that she will not be confirmed.
This is to say that Bush has managed to poke a good portion of his base in the eye for no reason at a time when he could use their support.
People were expecting an established, known, solid Conservative jurist – such as Michael Luttig or Janice Rogers Brown – to be picked. And they were expecting that kind of pick because of the kind of campaign promises Bush had made on the subject of Supreme Court nominations.
On the positive side, however, three key Evangelical leaders – James Dobson, Jerry Falwell, and – now – Pat Roberston have all endorsed Miers for the Supreme Court job for which she has been nominated.
Moreover, two of Bush’s most outspoken (and prominent) Conservative critics over the Miers selection – Pat Buchanan and Paul Weyrich – have both stated that they are willing to keep an open mind on the subject, pending Miers’ performance in Senate hearings.
The funny thing is – when all is said and done – history JUST MAY the Harriett Miers nomination as one of Bush’s most politically astute moves.
Stay tuned: The fun has only just begun.
posted by GunJam at 10:20 PM
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