Many Democrats reserving judgment on Miers

Boston Globe ^ | October 15, 2005 | Rick Klein

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WASHINGTON -- Despite vows to fight President Bush's next conservative Supreme Court nominee, Senate Democrats and leading liberal groups are largely holding their fire over Supreme Court nominee Harriet E. Miers, calculating that their best move is to stay out of the conservative movement's internal battle about whether Miers is the best choice for the high court. Since Bush nominated Miers, his White House counsel, to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor 12 days ago, prominent Democrats like senators Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts and Charles E. Schumer of New York have been mostly silent. Both senators, who sit on the committee that will question Miers and vote on her nomination, say they need more information to make informed judgments. The wait-and-see strategy contrasts sharply with their party's handling of Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.'s nomination this summer, when some top Democrats and well-funded liberal organizations talked about their concerns within a few days of his selection. This time, they are content to stay on the sidelines and watch the right-wing furor over Miers play out, according to party strategists and Senate aides. ''What are we going to say that the Republicans aren't already saying?" said one aide to a Democratic member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, speaking on the condition of anonymity. ''It's quite a bit of fun to let the Republicans skewer themselves."

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''The Democrats are driving by the accident, and they're looking out the window wondering what's going on," Carrick said. Nobody can disagree with that statement. The Dimocrats have always been reactionaries.

[dc-zoo]

Miers has enough rabid judges on her case already. All the rats have to do is sit back and enjoy the show.

[MNJohnnie]

The Dems are just watching this all laughing. For years they have been arguing that the President must appoint people who conform to their Litmus Tests. Now they are watching supposed "Conservatives" make their same arguments for them. Going to be REALLY hard for some "Conservatives" to go back and argue the Pres's choices deserve up or down votes the next time the Dems filibuster after spending the last two weeks arguing for the right to impose their OWN litmus tests. But I suppose in their zeal to "Win" at all costs, a lot of Conservative Pundits never bothered to look beyond their immediate emotional reaction to Miers to consider the long term consequences of their actions. Funny how like the Hysteric Left some elements of the "Conservative" movement are in their fixation on sort term tactics with NO considering of longer term strategic consequences of those actions.

[Once-Ler]

Many Democrats reserving judgment on Miers

Conservative just jump right in and condemn her without knowing anything. We really are the stupid party.

[TheForceOfOne]

You're right, and there will be another fight maybe Stevens.

[Cicero]

The question is, who is responsible for this split? If Bush hadn't nominated a second-rate candidate with doubtful conservative credentials, there wouldn't be a problem.

It certainly wasn't our idea.

[RAldrich]

"The question is, who is responsible for this split? If Bush hadn't nominated a second-rate candidate with doubtful conservative credentials, there wouldn't be a problem.

It certainly wasn't our idea."

This is all part of the Democrat strategery. Bush will strip off his face mask and you will see - BILL CLINTON!! (Slick Willie).