Brownback Skeptical on Miers Nomination

Associated Press ^ | October 4, 2005

[RWR8189]

Senator Sam Brownback says he and other conservatives have ``a great deal of skepticism'' about Harriet Miers, President Bush's latest nominee for the Supreme Court.

The Kansas Republican is disappointed Bush did not pick a candidate with more of a track record. He had urged Bush to nominate someone who opposes the Roe vs. Wade decision legalizing abortion.

Brownback compared the nomination of Miers -- Bush's White House counsel -- to that of Supreme Court Justice David Souter. Souter was nominated to the high court by the first President Bush and was believed to be a conservative, but he later turned out to be liberal on the bench.

Brownback is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He will meet with Miers in his Senate office on Thursday.

[Rodney King]

Brownback is willing to give her a hearing

I'm willing to give her hearing. The problem is that if she takes the Ginsburg/Roberts approach, the hearing won't enlighten us.

[HAL9000]

Brownback compared the nomination of Miers -- Bush's White House counsel -- to that of Supreme Court Justice David Souter. Souter was nominated to the high court by the first President Bush and was believed to be a conservative, but he later turned out to be liberal on the bench.

I see a huge difference between the Souter and Miers nominations. Souter was a virtual stranger to former President Bush. Miers is well-known to the current President Bush. Brownback's comparion is invalid.

[Rodney King]

Unlike you, I am willing to give her a listen rather then going into automatic rejection mode like you.

No offense, but I have a hard time believing that you would or could EVER buck the president on anything.

[joyspring777]

Wow....some have quieted down since yesterday (me included), others are gearing up.

Your points are cogent, especially about the weak Senate. I could say if Bush is John Wayne, the Senate has sent uncertain sounds about joining him in the posse to rout the enemy. It is as if they think their guns won't fire if they go?

Here were my closing thoughts yesterday:

I have been on this topic all day and I would like to make a few observations clear:

One, I don't believe anyone really believes this is cronyism. It is a choice that lays Bush open to unfounded arguments of cronyism in the MSM and by liberal socialist Democrats. That being said, Miers (sp?) is no Abe Fortas. Mr. Fortas had criminal ties, Mrs. Miers has a sterling resume.

Two, I don't believe anyone really sees this pick as a Souter. Bush Sr. did NOT know Souter at all, that is why it was a foolhardy (maybe not for you conspiracy folks out there) and stupid pick. That being said, Miers is no David Souter, but may be a questionable pick that could turn out like O'Connor (though if you check the record...Ken (Clinton cannot be prosecuted) Starr did the vetting work on O'Connor and judged her good. Bush is and has been a close friend of Mrs. Miers...which is far better than a Souter. We just mean the pick may turn out poorly...only time will tell.

Third, we (as Rush was saying today) were ready to take it to the Dems, go nuclear (I prefer constitutional) and change the rules forever so the courts would NOT have to go through Filibuster anymore. A fight we were ready to fight...will not be fought...unless Ginsburg or whathisname fade out. Even then, is Bush willing?

Finally, despite all of what I have posted (venting my dissappointment) on FR today (10-3-05), I hope and trust the Lord God that Bush and Co. know what is really in the package. So...having vented my spleen of what shoulda, coulda, woulda...I am tucking my powder in my belt.

Godspeed!

[Huck]

I agree with you. He's totally yielded ground. Of course, if his picks turn out good, then maybe it's worth it? Who knows, but I agree. Hell, I don't even agree with the stupid Ginsburg rule. Screw that.

[Txsleuth]

You bring up some good points...

As a matter of fact, Durbin is on Hairball right now, and Chrissy asked him why he thought that Bush "back off from nominating Owens or JRB,"....and Durbin said, "Probably because we told him if he did we would fight that person until the end..."....

NOW, the dems are claiming that THEY caused him to "back off"...I think it is the squishy GOP Senators that caused it...how could he trust any of them..especially the ones in the GANG of 14...

THIS is his payback to them...I guess.

[joyspring777]

We are ticked off to some degree because we WANTED to kick sand in the face of liberal socialists and DARE them to do something back....kind of like..."Go on...Just make my day you lily livered socialists?"

[ridge]

So Miers is indirect pick of Rinos and the DNC. Because this President didn't have the balls to fight for a conservative. I believe it. He looks tired. The constant attacks and lies have taken their toll.

[safisoft]

I can’t tell you how many times I heard or read someone reluctantly justify their support for Bush solely on the basis of judges. For the sake of shifting the Court right, many of them were willing to overlook everything else. Until, of course, today . . . . And for years and years, they’ve dreamed of having an opportunity to hoist one of their own on the Court to shift the balance their way. And with O’Connor stepping down, their long wait had ended. At long last, the moment had come – and Bush failed them.

Wow. How sad is this! A liberal gets it and the President who claims to be conservative and "proudly so" completely missed it. I am stunned.

I for one was suspecting some real red meat for the base. Bush is many things, but he’s usually not politically dumb.

The point I have been making to Bush-bots since yesterday morning. An unbelievably incompetent political move.

[joyspring777]

The filibuster stuff is interminably maddening. If you ask me, the President should have ALL the Republicans from the Gang of 14 over in one meeting...and get clear answers as to WHERE ARE YOU ALL ON THIS!!

Maybe he has done so on a one by one basis, and they have all whined...Our guns don't shoot straight (posse talk)...I am afraid I might get hurt if we play hardball...why can't we all just get along...etc.etc. etc.

If so, with Frist in trouble of the investigation...the Senate is NOT READY to go "constitutional" or "nuclear" on judgeships.

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

Does anyone actually believe that he would have chosen this person if confronted with the prospect of Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Kyl, instead of Arlen "Not Proven" Specter?

[safisoft]

Souter was a virtual stranger to former President Bush. Miers is well-known to the current President Bush.

The similarity of course is that both were nominated by a Bush. That is what worries us. It is when a Bush says, "Read My Lips" or "I will nominate one like Scalia and Thomas" - and then go back on their word we have a hard time hearing, "Trust me on this, I've looked into their heart, and they're [the nomininee] is like me..."

We weren't promised a justice like Bush. We were told one like Scalia and Thomas. Right now, one LESS like Bush would be more comforting.

[joyspring777]

Backing Specter in the PA primary led to having to consign pushing him off the Judiciary Chairmanship.

Pat Toomey was hung out to dry, and Bush had nowhere to go but back Specter.

You heard of a twofer winning? Specter is a twofer losing!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

You said it.

Specter is a schmuck.

:(

[Txsleuth]

Gosh----It is hard to tell what you posted from the lib site, from what some of the freepers have been saying the last few days....

I thought it WAS your opinion at first...

[sinkspur]

And the reason it shows is because it’s a reflection of his disconnect with the world around him – and of the dissent-free yes-man-ism endemic to this White House. Bush doesn’t read and isn’t curious and probably gets all his news through his staffers (see, e.g., Katrina DVD). In this sense, Bush is incapable of making sound decisions as a matter of epistemology – i.e., he lacks the information necessary to make informed decisions because he lives in a bubble.

Patronizing garbage. The liberals can always be trusted to put Bush's intelligence down, and the fair-weather conservatives are joining right in.

[VRWC For Truth]

Bush deserves the criticism. He has just pulled a Dilbert. The only hope is that he uses this nomination to get rid of the 60 vote nonsense in the Senate. He's stepped in it ... BIG TIME. It's like Trent Lott is President.

[joyspring777]

Specter should have done the country a favor and retired. What a worn out old RINO tire!

You can see right through the worn out tread, and Bush is forced to guard against a blowout by not taking the battle to the liberal socialist Dems with Specter on the front left wheel.