Bush Chooses Miers for Supreme Court

ap on Yahoo ^ | 10/3/05 | Deb Riechmann - ap

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON - President Bush on Monday nominated White House counsel Harriet Miers to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court, reaching into his loyal inner circle for another pick that could reshape the nation's judiciary for years to come.

"She has devoted her life to the rule of law and the cause of justice," Bush said as his first Supreme Court pick, Chief Justice John Roberts, took the bench for the first time just a few blocks from the White House. "She will be an outstanding addition to the Supreme Court of the United States."

If confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate, Miers, 60, would join Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as the second woman on the nation's highest court and the third to serve there. Miers, who has never been a judge, was the first woman to serve as president of the Texas State Bar and the Dallas Bar Association.

Miers, whom Bush called a trailblazer for women in the legal profession, said she was humbled by the nod.

"If confirmed, I recognize I will have a tremendous responsibility to keep our judicial system strong and to help insure the court meets their obligations to strictly apply the laws and Constitution," she said.

Democratic and Republican special interests groups had been braced for a political brawl over the pick, but they may not get it. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., had urged the president to consider Miers, according to several officials familiar with Bush's consultations with Congress.

Miers has no judicial record, which may complicate any Democratic attempts to block her nomination. It is impossible to predict whether Miers and Roberts will shift the court to the right. She would replace O'Connor, a critical swing vote on the court who helped uphold the right to abortion and affirmative action. Rehnquist, the late chief justice being replaced by Roberts, was a consistent conservative vote.

"We know even less about Harriet Miers than we did about John Roberts and because this is the critical swing seat on the court, Americans will need to know a lot more about Mier's judicial philosophy and legal background before any vote for confirmation," said Sen. Charles Schumer (news, bio, voting record), D-N.Y., a member of the Judiciary Committee.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., said: "With this selection, the president has chosen another outstanding nominee to sit on our nations highest court. Ms. Miers is honest and hard working and understands the importance of judicial restraint and the limited role of a judge to interpret the law and not legislate from the bench."

Bush, his approval rating falling in recent months, had been under intense pressure to nominate a woman or a minority.

Miers had helped push Roberts' nomination through the Senate, and Bush said that "she will strictly interpret our Constitution and laws. She will not legislate from the bench." Conservatives apparently agreed.

Initial reaction from conservatives was positive.

"She has been a forceful advocate of conservative legal principles and judicial restraint throughout her career," said Leonard Leo, executive vice president of the Federalist Society.

"Harriet Miers is a top-notch lawyer who understands the limited role that judges play in our society," said Noel Francisco, former assistant White House counsel and deputy assistant attorney general during the Bush administration.

The president offered the job to Miers Sunday night over dinner in the residence. He met with Miers on four occasions during the past couple weeks, officials said.

Rehnquist, whose death paved way for Roberts' nomination, had not served as a judge before President Nixon put him on the Supreme Court. Nineteen other justices previously had never served as judges before getting on the high court.

According to the White House, 10 of the 34 Justices appointed since 1933, including Rehnquist and the late Justice Byron White, were appointed from positions within the president's administration.

"Having never served as a judge, Ms. Miers has no `paper trail' of judicial opinions, and prospective opponents thus will have a hard time identifying positions to protest or complain about," said Supreme Court historian David Garrow. "What's more, Ms. Miers' professional record as an attorney in Texas is undeniably one of significant achievement and accomplishment, and her proponents will be able to present her as a female trail blazer whose life-record is at least arguably comparable to that of Justice O'Connor."

Known for thoroughness and her low-profile, Miers is one of the first staff members to arrive at the White House in the morning and among the last to leave.

When Bush named her White House counsel in November 2004, the president described Miers as a lawyer with keen judgment and discerning intellect — "a trusted adviser on whom I have long relied for straightforward advice."

He also joked of Miers, "When it comes to a cross-examination, she can fillet better than Mrs. Paul."

With no record, liberals say the White House should be prepared for Miers to be peppered with questions during her Senate confirmation.

"Choosing somebody who is not a judge would put that much more of a premium on straight answers to questions because there would be that much less for senators and the public to go on when looking at such a nominee's judicial philosophy," says Elliot Mincberg, counsel with the liberal People for the American Way.

Formerly Bush's personal lawyer in Texas, Miers came with the president to the White House as his staff secretary, the person in charge of all the paperwork that crosses the Oval Office desk. Miers was promoted to deputy chief of staff in June 2003.

As an attorney in Dallas, Miers became president in 1996 of Locke Purnell, Rain & Harrell a firm with more than 200 lawyers where she worked starting in 1972. After it merged a few years later, she became co-manager of Locke Liddell & Sapp.

When Bush was governor of Texas, she represented him in a case involving a fishing house. In 1995, he appointed her to a six-year term on the Texas Lottery Commission. She also served as a member-at-large on the Dallas City Council and in 1992 became the first woman president of the Texas State Bar.

[smonk]

---I'm waiting for the dust to settle and the confirmation hearings.---

I don't guess we have much of a choice. if this doesn't get much better very quickly, this is going to be the disappointment of the BushII Administration.

[Howlin]

FGS, give it a REST.

Everybody CHANGES; well, not everybody.....I should point out a few with tunnel vision around here.

[NCSteve]

How about a little faith?

I hear what you're saying, but faith is a little tough to come by these days, especially where the Bush Administration is concerned. I held fire on Roberts, even with a lot of misgivings. I'm hoping he'll not be any to the left of Rehnquist, but who can really say? Miers is a political operative, there is no question of that. So why would Bush choose her over any one of a dozen other outstanding and better qualified possibilities? I'm ready to believe. Convince me.

[justshutupandtakeit]

No he merely is not a belligerent ahole which many of you would prefer.

[inquest]

She's been with Bush since 1988; do you think she did that while believing in the liberal causes?

You say that like it's some kind of improbability.

I mean, who'da thunk that Schwarzenegger was married to a Kennedy?

[Mister Baredog]

Based on what? His vague promises?

Next you'll announce you're switching parties, right?

[NCSteve]

I should point out a few with tunnel vision around here.

Said the pot to the kettle.

[inquest]

Everybody CHANGES

Right, right, she was for the Democrats before she was against them. I've heard something like that before.

Now how about answering my question, if you can?

[Republican Wildcat]

Any word on who she's financially supported in more recent times?

Here is her contribution history going back to the 80s:

Contributor	Candidate or PAC	Amount	Date
MIERS, HARRIET E MS. ARLINGTON, VA 22202 U.S. GOVERNMENT/DEPUTY SHERIFF	BUSH, GEORGE W (R) President BUSH-CHENEY '04 (PRIMARY) INC	$2,000 primary	10/08/03
MIERS, HARRIET DALLAS, TX 75201 LOCKE LIDDELL & SAPP LLP	STENBERG, DONALD B (R) Senate - NE GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND	$500 primary	07/13/00
MIERS, HARRIET DALLAS, TX 75229 ATTORNEY	NEWTON, JONATHAN (R) House (TX 04) JON NEWTON FOR CONGRESS	$1,000 general	06/01/00
Miers, Harriet E. Ms. Dallas, TX 75201 Self Employed/Attorney	LOCKE LIDDELL & SAPP LLP PAC	$415 primary	05/17/00
Miers, Harriet Mrs. Dallas, TX 75201 Locke Liddell & Sapp/Attorney	BUSH, GEORGE W (R) President BUSH-CHENEY 2000 COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE INC.	$1,000 general	04/28/00
MIERS, HARRIET DALLAS, TX 75201 LOCKE PURNELL	HUTCHISON, KAY BAILEY (R) Senate - TX KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON FOR SENATE COMMITTEE	$-1,000 primary	06/03/99
MIERS, HARRIET DALLAS, TX 75201 LOCKE PURNELL	HUTCHISON, KAY BAILEY (R) Senate - TX KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON FOR SENATE COMMITTEE	$1,000 general	06/03/99
MIERS, HARRIET DALLAS, TX 75201 LOCKE PURNELL	HUTCHISON, KAY BAILEY (R) Senate - TX KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON FOR SENATE COMMITTEE	$1,000 primary	05/11/99
MIERS, HARRIET E DALLAS, TX 75201 LOCKE LIDDELL & SAPP	BUSH, GEORGE W (R) President BUSH FOR PRESIDENT INC.	$1,000 primary	03/10/99
MIERS, HARRIET DALLAS, TX 75201 LOCKE PURNELL	HUTCHISON, KAY BAILEY (R) Senate - TX KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON FOR SENATE COMMITTEE	$1,000 primary	04/23/97
MIERS, HARRIET ELLAN DALLAS, TX 75229 ATTORNEY	FRIENDS OF PHIL GRAMM PAC (R)	$1,000 general	05/07/96
MIERS, HARRIET DALLAS, TX 75229 LOCKE & PURNELL	SESSIONS, PETE (R) House (TX 32) PETE SESSIONS FOR CONGRESS	$500	02/24/95
MIERS, HARRIET E DALLAS, TX 75229 LOCKE PURNELL RAIN HARRELL	GRAMM, WILLIAM PHILLIP (R) President PHIL GRAMM FOR PRESIDENT, INC.	$1,000 primary	02/21/95
MIERS, HARRIET ELLAN DALLAS, TX 75229 LOCKE & PURNELL	SESSIONS, PETE (R) House (TX 32) PETE SESSIONS FOR CONGRESS	$500 general	09/23/94
MIERS, HARRIET E DALLAS, TX 75229 LOCKE PURNELL RAIN HARRELL A PROFES	LOCKE PURNELL RAIN HARRELL FEDERAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE	$225 primary	01/08/90
MIERS, HARRIET E MS DALLAS, TX 75229	DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE (D)	$1,000 primary	11/03/88
MIERS, HARRIET E DALLAS, TX 75219 LOCKE PURNELL RAIN HARRELL	LOCKE PURNELL RAIN HARRELL FEDERAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE	$630 primary	02/16/88
MIERS, HARRIET E MS DALLAS, TX 75219 LOCKE PURNELL RAIN HARRELL	GORE, AL (D) President ALBERT GORE JR FOR PRESIDENT COMMITTEE INC	$1,000 primary	02/16/88
MIERS, HARRIET E MRS DALLAS, TX 75201 LOCKE PURNELL ETAL	BENTSEN, LLOYD SENATOR (D) Senate - DC SENATOR LLOYD BENTSEN ELECTION COMMITTEE	$1,000 primary	03/30/87

Source: http://www.newsmeat.com/washington_political_donations/Harriet_Miers.php

[roses of sharon]

That is exactly the way I see our battle for the future.

[inquest]

I would prefer that he not sell us out to the Left. Those who prefer otherwise...well, they're entitled to their opinions.

[Centurion2000]

You know zippo, nada, about this subject, but commenting anyway like you are an expert.

I know that if I did this in the corporate world my ethics department would crucify me in a heartbeat. It's cronyism and you cannot deny or disprove it. Going by the platform and what the majority of the Republican party wants she is NOT the best choice. How many conservatives do you know donate money to elect democrats?

By the way, please cite your expertise on this subject before standing up and looking like a fool while trying to silence other opinions.

[justshutupandtakeit]

That puts the contribution issue in some context. Thanks.

Contrary to the opinions of some around here people do grow and change as they go through life. I don't believe or act the same way I did decades ago.

But when you are looking for a reason to get outraged any excuse will do.

[MizSterious]

It was one of the first several posts on this thread. Unless someone comes up with something a bit more relevant, I don't see any good reason not to support her. (Lesbian? Based on what, I wonder? Active imagination?)

[inquest]

Uh, no.

By the way, was there a point in there somewhere?

[Right_in_Virginia]

I don't know enough about the nominee to make an intelligent assessment at this point.

But, watching him react this summer, I'm starting to believe that GWB has lost either his "voice", his nerve or both.

And, that's not good for him or our Party.

[justshutupandtakeit]

If he were to "sell us out to the Left" I would be the first to complain. Since that is NOT the case and it isn't even close there is not reason for rational people to be upset.

Of course, the Perpetually Pissed Off are going to bitch no matter what. But who cares what they think?

[MizSterious]

Many thanks! Well, it looks like she "saw the light" after 1988, doesn't it? A lot of folks did.

[Mister Baredog]

I'm ready to believe. Convince me.

All I know is I'd rather have Bush making the appointments than sKerry or Gore.

Since they're judges we will never know. Sometimes they reverse themselves.

Time will tell, BUT I do know what Bush's intentions are regarding the court. NO ONE can say he's succeeded for many years to come, although there's some key cases coming up this session.

Don't forget Meirs helped W vet his previous appointments, I'm sure HE knows a lot more about her philosophy than all the instant critics. Can we at least have the hearings before casting judgement?

[Howlin]

Yes. That particular poster seems obsessed with it.