I'd think he was a cruel human being. Bush is not cruel.
Harriett Miers is going to be on the Supreme Court. Since you want to "take it to the bank," I'm willing to put some serious money on that.
"Hey, you know how people keep suggesting we should send Mark Levin up there just to mock the democrats for a while? Well, I see Harry put me on the list. Why don't you send ME up there.
"After I'm nominated, we'll put out a steady stream of information about my conservative religious beliefs, my strong pro-life views, and whatever else we can think of to bait the democrats.
"Then, at the hearings, when they ask the questions we won't answer, I'll answer them. I'll tear them apart for what they did to all our other nominees. What Roberts did indirectly, I'll do directly -- expose their judicial philosophy for the activism it is. When I'm done, I will of course have to withdraw my name for answering all those questions."
Like I said, I don't think this is what happened. But if it did, it wouldn't be a cruel thing he pulled on her, it would be something they worked out.
One argument against it is that if ANYBODY ever found out, I think it would be a very bad thing.
My theory, on the other hand, is that she gets up there, and it turns out that she has a "Robertsesque" grasp of constitutional law. I mean, while she hasn't practiced in that field, it doesn't mean she hasn't studied it. After all, she IS the head of the team to pick out appropriate constitutional scholars. And reports are she IS intelligent.
I think her grasp of the issues would be the big surprise at the hearings, if she DOES have a grasp of the issues.
And if she crashes and burns at the hearings, she'll withdraw or be voted down, and we can move on to the next nominee.