Regrettably, a large contingent of conservative commentators does not yet grasp the strategy and tactics at work in this excellent nomination.
Exactly. They don't. Some, however, and IMHO, do, and are simply playing their part. Kudos. Not the most fun position to do. Been there, done that. It is effective. Maybe one day, more people in "non-status" political positions will actually think beyond their own noses.
This just shows you how brilliant this pick is and how desperate the lefties have become. I think this is their strategy. The lefties know Bush's numbers are down and they are trying to siphon off his conservative base by throwing some of these thoughts on the Miers pick.
When I first heard about this yesterday, I was disappointed but as I went through the day and heard about the pick, I think it is brilliant. She has no track record as a judge so the Dems will have a dificult time putting her on the hot seat, she is an insider (so Bush knows her better than a lot of other President's picks) and Reid and company have basically endorsed her. The only thing the lefties can say is the conservatives are disappointed with the pick.
I trust this President because he has done exactly what he says. Bush has said he wants more Justices in the Scalia/Thomas mold and I believe him. I have heard she is a Christian and she is pro-life. I truly believe this pick will show how great of a man Bush is and the legacy is leaving behind. He understands the stakes and the opportunity he has to make an impact on this Supreme Court and this country.
I was thinking back in 1997 when 1 million men got together in Washington DC to pray and intercede for this country. I remember Clinton flying over with Marine One to see all the men and he couldn't believe how many evangelical Christians were there. A year later President Clinton is impeached and a presidency starts to unravel.
We elect President Bush (an answered prayer in D.C.) who is not the savior of this country but an evangelical Christian who does what he says he will do and searches after God's heart. I believe we will say Miers is one of the best justices for this country and conservative Christian will be thanking God for Bush's pick in a few years.
Good article. Thanks for posting.
I've never seen such a bunch of scaredy-cat, cry-babies as those on the right that question this pick. Yesterday saw FR in a total melt-down over Meiers.
Can we not support our President....must we assume he'll make a mistake in his selection? This is what is wrong with the right (and consequently what is right with the left.) We must stand in lock-step since we have now other option (right now,)and show the President our support. This will show the left that we are not a bunch of sniveling wimps...that we stand for something and we support those that we put in power.
I don't know if he's right, but it makes me feel better to read this.
This brings dampness to my eyes. She will prevail.
I would have left this paragraph out, otherwise this is a great read!
She will be influential because she will "fetch beverages"?
That's exactly what I said yesterday! I'd like to see more Supremes with some real world experience, rather than 'Ivory Tower' attitudes.
This guy really gets it. I was just thinking this yesterday, that too many here want Bush to be Howard Dean!!!
What is that getting them? A minority status, with their numbers shrinking. Pat Buchanan is the poster-boy of this approach---a guy hated by all but a handful of ultras, who can't get elected dog-catcher.
There is a reason Jesus said to pray for your enemies, and by doing so you would "heap burning coals" on their heads, and there is also a passage in Proverbs that says that when we engage in vindictiveness, we cut off GOD'S ability to exact revenge on our behalf!! That's pretty amazing.
This woman is a good pick, and will get confirmed, and ANY opposition the Dems throw up will look petty, cheap, and infantile.
At this rate of frantic rationalizing, Miers and Bush are gonna end up being fraternal twins soon.......
They met in the late '80s, less than two decades ago, and didn't really get to know one another "in a memorable way" (by Miers own words) until 1994. Then they had a professional relationship - with her as head of the Texas Lottery Commission and him as governor - until 2001 when she joined the Bush admin in Washington.
What an excellent breakdown of the strategy the President could be employing.
She cooks a mean donut.
Excellent analysis. More on our side should read this one.
I sincerely hope that enough information will filter out in the ensuing weeks that conservatives will become not only comfortable with, but enthusiastically supportive of, Ms. Miers. I just wish I were a bit more sure...
Good post.
(I’ve never seen Bill Crystal make such an fool of himself.)
This is a pretty damn good article.
Most of the article (though not all) avoids condescension towards conservatives, and even acknowledges that since GWB has unquestionably broken trust with conservatives (even moderates) on his domestic agenda, that it is hard to warm to him on major domestic acts.
And the author understands the "Souter problem" and acknowledges that the issue is real. Unlike a lot of the Bush bots here at FR, the author hasn't just put his head under the covers but sees the real and serious problems that this administration has from the conservative perspective. That makes the piece much more persuasive. It acknowledges that like it or not, fair or not, you can't just separate the judicial nomination process from the rest of the actions of this administration. Trust is not immediate from conservatives, to say the least.
All that said....you can't but be impressed by her showing up at work 5 a.m. And her speech before the GOP lawyers' group was, apparently, solidly conservative.
And as much as we all love blood and guts and would relish seeing Schumer splattered all over everywhere, I don't think anyone is going to wring their hands if that doesn't happen, yet Meiers becomes a solid "yes woman" to a Chief Justice, who, with two four-star generals named Scalia and Thomas at his side, is able to convince Justice Kennedy from time to time to join them. The point that we need to keep our eyes on 5 votes is well taken.
Not that it matters much. She will be confirmed. We just need to hope and pray that she becomes a yes woman and doesn't get any wild ideas about finding a "third way" or something else to make Katie Courie and the Wash Post fawn over her. Hopefully her faith will sustain her and keep her from that sort of idolatry.