Laura Bush says sexism possible in Miers criticism

Reuters ^ | Tue Oct 11, 2005 8:46 AM ET | By Tabassum Zakaria

[Sometimes A River]

COVINGTON, Louisiana (Reuters) - First lady Laura Bush joined her husband in defending his nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday and said it was possible some critics were being sexist in their opposition to Harriet Miers.

"That's possible, I think that's possible," Mrs. Bush said when asked on NBC's "Today Show" whether criticism that Miers lacked intellectual heft were sexist in nature. She said Miers' accomplishments as a lawyer were a role model to young women.

...

Mrs. Bush, who had publicly supported the nomination of a woman to the high court, noted that Miers had been president of the Texas Bar Association.

"I know Harriet well, I know how accomplished she is, I know how many times she's broken the glass ceiling herself. She is a role model for young women around our country," she said.

[Sometimes A River]

Kinda sounds like the Dems when they charge Republicans hate children when they oppose federally funded school lunches...or want to kill Seniors when they oppose new entilements.

Yawn at this lazy charge.

[wideawake]

Wideawake Says Stupid Pro-Abort Leftism Possible In First Lady's Comments

[Alia]

bookmark.

[GarySpFc]

Do you know who is considered by almost all to be the greatest justice to ever serve on SCOTUS? Did you realize this person had only briefly studied law? Did you know he did not have any judicial experience when he was appointed chief justice, and yet he is considered the person who had the most influence on Constitutional Law? Have you ever heard of John Marshall? His single greatest attribute, which has been lacking in many of the recent justices to SCOTUS was character.

John Marshall-Biography

Experience: No prior judicial experience. Marshall held many political offices at the state and national levels.

John Marshall was born in a log cabin on the Virginia frontier, the first of fifteen children. He was a participant in the Revolutionary War as a member of the 3d Virginia Regiment. He studied law briefly in 1780, and was admitted to practice the same year. He quickly established a successful career defending individuals against their pre-War British creditors.

Marshall served in Virginia's House of Delegates. He also participated in the state ratifying convention and spoke forcefully on behalf of the new constitution to replace the Articles of Confederation.

Marshall contemplated several offers to serve in the Washington and Adams administrations. He declined service as attorney general for Washington; he declined positions on the Supreme Court and as secretary of war under Adams. At Washington's direction, Marshall ran successfully for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives but his tenure there was brief. Adams offered Marshall the position of secretary of state, which Marshall accepted. When Ellsworth resigned as chief justice in 1800, Adams turned to the first chief justice, John Jay, who declined. Federalists urged Adams to promote associate justice William Paterson to the spot; Adams opted for Marshall.

Marshall's impact on American constitutional law is peerless. He served for more than 34 years (a record that few others have broken), he participated in more than 1000 decisions and authored over 500 opinions. As the single most important figure on constitutional law, Marshall's imprint can still be fathomed in the great issues of contemporary America. Other justices will surpass his single accomplishments, but no one will replace him as the Babe Ruth of the Supreme Court!

http://www.oyez.org/oyez/resource/legal_entity/13/overview

[sauropod]

ping.

[Clint N. Suhks]

She wasn't listening. Like when your spouse asks if you think these clothes make you look fat...and you say yes.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Race card, gender card, play any card you can when the chips are down.

[Condor51]

This sexism charge is beyond stoo-pid, is utter nonsense and insulting.

If JRB, Owens, or even Edith Clement would have been selected there wouldn't be a peep of opposition from the right. Well maybe a bit with Clement but that's irrelevant now.

[jla]

A pathetic statement from the President's wife.
Ask Laura to explain the strong support for Janice Rogers-Brown, Priscilla Owen, and Karen Williams.

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

While I think Meirs deserves a chance to at least have her day with the Senate, Laura Bush doesn't help her cause by calling Ms. Meirs critics sexist. I expect that from the Nancy Pelosis, Barbara Boxers and Hitlerys of the left, not the First Lady.

[chris1]

So now Meirs is like John Marshall?

[Piranha]

It sounds as though President Bush is surrounded by women who advocate for affirmative action (Condi and, of course, Harriet Miers).

As someone wrote the other day, when people can't argue against your position they often resort to name-calling. It's unfortunate that Laura Bush has chosen to diminish her stature by mischaracterizing legitimate opposition to this embarrassing nomination by delegitimizing Miers' opponents.

I suppose that Michelle Malkin, Laura Ingraham and Ann Coulter, to name three high-profile opponents of the Miers nomination, are just sexist pigs.

Is this really the best way for President Bush to spend his political capital?

[Mr Rogers]

It was silly and stupid for Laura to go along with the idea that conservative opponents are sexists who believe Meirs is unqualified because she is a woman.

The opposite is true - can you imagine the reaction if GWB nominated his personal lawyer, HARRY Meirs, to the Supreme Court?

[Dont_Tread_On_Me_888]

Mrs. Bush, who had publicly supported the nomination of a woman

Thank God you are not president , Mrs. Bush.

Laura Bush is a sexist for eliminating 50% of the most qualified candidates by making this ludicrous statement. Laura, you are a sexist and poor decision maker. By all accounts, Michael Luttig probably had the best "legal mind"--Michael is a male, Laura.

Laura is no better than George--they both are poor decision makers.

[Always Right]

Do you know who is considered by almost all to be the greatest justice to ever serve on SCOTUS? Did you realize this person had only briefly studied law?

Do you realize most people who are concerned about her don't care what her background is or that she is a female. What people care about is how she will rule. Harriet is an intelligent lady with a somewhat impressive background. But she also has a history of supporting Democrats, being a compromiser, and as a politically correct bureaucrat. The concern is that Harriet will be a pro-life O'Connor. An improvement on a few votes, but still disappointing in many important areas.

[Panerai]

Sheesh ... do you plan to cut and paste this into every thread about Miers, it's getting a bit old.

[GarySpFc]

So now Meirs is like John Marshall?

You obviously are overlooking the main point. Both individuals had/have character based on a strong morality.

[savedbygrace]

Assuming this Reuter's article is quoting accurately (and that's a difficult phrase to type), I think this approach by the First Lady is wrong.

Because Mrs. Bush is pro-choice, such a defense by her brings the Miers nomination WRT the abortion issue into question.

[B Knotts]

Just wonderful. Look at what we are now getting in the guise of GOP governance.

[Huck]

John Marshall was also trained in the law by an actual Founding Father:

In 1779, when the College of William and Mary created the nation’s first chair in law, George Wythe was the first scholar to receive that honor. In the course of his long teaching career, he trained Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and John Marshall in the law.