McClellan gets testy over Miers questions

World Net Daily ^ | October 13, 2005 | Les Kinsolving

[Conservative Coulter Fan]

White House press secretary Scott McClellan today got a bit impatient with reporters asking him about the possibility of Harriet Miers withdrawing her nomination to the Supreme Court, asking rhetorically at one point, "Isn't it my right to talk and say what I want to?"

The verbal jousting began as a reporter asked about a possible withdrawal by Miers, President Bush's choice to fill the seat of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

"Some conservatives have suggested this week, or speculated, that while President Bush would never withdraw Miers' nomination, that she might decide that she can't weather the storm and withdraw. Can you give us just some idea of her tenacity to be able to withstand all this fire from the right and the left?" asked one reporter, according to the official transcript.

McClellan bristled at the suggestion, saying, "Those who know Harriet Miers are strongly supportive of her nomination, and strongly support her being confirmed to the United States Senate [sic]."

The spokesman then challenged the reporter, saying he had not reported on Miers' qualifications.

Said McClellan: "I haven't seen you out there reporting about some of her qualifications and her record, and I see by the tone of your question that you want to get into some of these side issues."

A charge then came back to McClellan: "You divided your own party," referring to the many GOP senators who have not committed to supporting Miers.

Later, the spokesman responded again to the possibility of a Miers withdrawal, saying, "Anyone that knows her record and experience wouldn't be making such a suggestion. … Some of you all wanted to focus more on religion. We focused on her qualifications and record."

Indeed, WND asked McClellan earlier about Miers' religion, receiving a response devoid of the subject. Said McClellan: " The President believes that a Supreme Court justice should strictly interpret our Constitution and laws and not try to legislate from the bench, and that's what Harriet Miers is committed to doing."

At one point during the fracas, McClellan was asked, "Scott, isn't the idea we ask the questions and you provide the answers?"

[Mamzelle]

What storm? No GOP senator is going to tear into her. She's going to get the nom while the right sulks and fumes. That's about all we can do--it'd gratify the left to do otherwise.

Bush just busted his "trust me" budget. No more credit on his credit limit--sort of like the way he spends money. This Miers thing reminds me so much of his policy on illegal immigration--which is to completely ignore the justified angry clamour of his base.

It's not that the right will scream and revolt. They'll just shrug and turn their backs when his next enthusiasm comes along, and whatever policy initiatives he had will lose steam.

But, storm? Nah.

[adam_az]

"Oh please. Hundreds and hundreds of appointments and you point out McClellan and Miers as proof positive that Bush is deficient in that particular process? "

Here's a few more for ya.

Asa "Open Borders" Hutchison.
Bernie "Hefner" Kerik.
Alberto "La Raza" Gonzales.
Colin "Arabist" Powell.
Condi "Arabist" Rice.
Paul "Backskstabber" O'Neill

How's that for a start?

He also looked into Pooty-Poot's "soul," guess he missed Pooty's intentions with Iran while looking in there.

Hundreds of appointments - keep in mind most of them are not in the public eye. For those that are, hid record has been definitely mixed.