Miers Remorse: Conservatives are right to be skeptical

http://www.opinionjournal.com ^ | 10/10/05 | JOHN FUND

[BCrago66]

I have changed my mind about Harriet Miers. Last Thursday, I wrote in OpinionJournal's Political Diary that "while skepticism of Ms. Miers is justified, the time is fast approaching when such expressions should be muted until the Senate hearings begin. At that point, Ms. Miers will finally be able to speak for herself."

But that was before I interviewed more than a dozen of her friends and colleagues along with political players in Texas. I came away convinced that questions about Ms. Miers should be raised now--and loudly--because she has spent her entire life avoiding giving a clear picture of herself. "She is unrevealing to the point that it's an obsession," says one of her close colleagues at her law firm.

[maryz]

Thank you!

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

You're welcome.

-good times, G.J.P. (Jr.)

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

Deception.

[ExSES]

Every one wants a paper trail!!

How true! Indeed, everyone "thinks" they would like to know everything and anything about the ultimate results of ANY decision they make! The selection of SC Justice is no different!

[ARCADIA]

No. I will still vote and vote Republican. I realize that the Dems are far worse. However, many conservatives that are less politically involved will be dejected by this and stay home.

I don't believe in rewarding incompetence. If the GOP screws up I will vote for the opposition. Preferably, another Republican, or conservative; but, if none is available then a Democrat. It will hurt for a few years; but, then come the next election we will have a fresh batch of new waggly tailed Republican conservatives who are ready to actually do more then give ground. The only way to get rid of RINOs is to vote them out of office, and until we do that, we deserve exactly what we get.

[ARCADIA]

You bet she's a Southerner, which is better than any damned yankee.

Like Clinton and Carter????????

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

What has led you folks to conclude that Harriet is a Proverbs 31 lady?

[SkyPilot]

Reactions to her from her former colleagues were mixed. Craig McDaniel, a liberal council member, praises her ability to get along with diverse groups of people and tells the Dallas Voice, a gay newspaper, "This is as good as we would ever get out of a Republican administration." Jerry Bartos, a conservative council colleague, rated her effectiveness at "zero" and called her "the consummate loner." But Sharon Boyd, a longtime friend and GOP activist, says many conservatives resented her solely because she had remained a Democrat until 1988. Ms. Boyd calls Ms. Miers's record on the council "very conservative." Yet when pressed for examples, she could only offer Ms. Miers's opposition to civil unions for gays and support for a constitutional amendment against flag burning. On other issues, Ms. Miers's record is one of initially supporting a conservative position and then abandoning it.

No comment.

[naden25]

I read that Harriet Miers donated $1000 to Hillary's campaign in 2000. 'Nuff said.

[conservativecorner]

Republican Presidents, as Frum mentioned, picked 7 of the 9 Justices, so why worry? END SARCASM!

[conservativecorner]

Correction: Mr. Fund instead of Mr. Frum.

[bourbon]

It's Leondard Leo, and he is not the President of the Federalist Society at the moment. He is on leave from the Society and is working for the White House (link).

Leo's endorsement (1) is not representative of the opinion of the Society as a whole and (2) does not change the fact that this nominee and this President are actively marginalizing the most influential conservative legal society in America.

[Rodney King]

(that is, if she even knows what FR is).

One of those blogs out on the internets.

[Rodney King]

You bet she's a Southerner, which is better than any damned yankee.

You would take Sheila Jackson Lee over William F. Buckley?

[kellynla]

BTTT

[Mr Rogers]

I don't think many conservative voters will stay at home.

I DO think they will lack the enthusiasm & passion to persuade their less conservative/less politically inclined neighbors and friends to vote.

And that is deadly in a society which saw Kerry come within a few percentage points of beating GWB!

[SunkenCiv]

Perhaps what we need is a constitutional amendment so that the President appoints the SC judges without interference. [just some irony]

Or, perhaps we need to take issues and rulings out of the hands of the SCOTUS through constitutional amendment.

Or, perhaps we need to live with the fact that thinking independently will always be a mixed blessing, and always at war (and threatened by) the lockstep society that always pulls the straight ticket lever (or punches the straight ticket chad) for the so-called Democratic Party.

[Hank Rearden]

Can someone give me a single word that sums up this sentence?

Supercalifragilisticexpialadocius

Here's three more: she's a souterfraud.

[Hank Rearden]

NOW, how do YOU know THAT? Sheesh.

Well, in just one week, she's already become one big, embarrassing mess for BushCo.

[wardaddy]

that sux