[ekwd]

My internet connection is acting up so I am having trouble getting to the web site/blogs themselves. Here is the RedState.org post on FR about White House (that's White House) aides who were leaking about Miers:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1500781/posts

Assuming they did shut up when told to, their jobs are safe, at least from me. BTW, I'm not being vindictive on this. No organization can function if subordinates feel free to undermine their superiors. Also, I doubt that President Bush is vindictive man, but he has nominated a close associate, not a complete unknown to him as Souter was to his father (you know that ultimate non-conservative who nominated Clarence Thomas too). I wouldn’t blame him for being vindictive towards people who, despite his other nominations to the courts, say they can’t trust him.

As far as my personal credibility and John Fund goes, here is John Fund’s actual WSJ Online article about the Texas Lottery allegations:

http://www.opinionjournal.com/diary/?id=110007431

There is precious little in it expressing Fund’s skepticism about the allegations. Instead, we are told that the allegations themselves put Republicans in a “fix”. What it does is spread in conservative circles the allegations made in this:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1500867/posts

Here is a transcript via Radioblogger of Fund’s conversation with Jed Babbin:

http://www.radioblogger.com/#001078

He does say, “I don’t think there’s much there”, but he is making d..n sure we know the allegations are out there. It is a common practice when mudslinging to throw something out not because you think it's true, but to do damage. I will stake my credibility on my assessment of Fund’s motives any day, thank you.

Yes there has been a lot of name calling on both sides. Here is a log to a Miers supporter (and Texas lawyer) who agrees with me that here opponents “drew first blood” in the name calling game:

http://beldar.blogs.com/beldarblog/2005/10/i_present_witho.html#more

As far as “deference” goes, I think that it was also used a justification for confirmation during the Bork and Thomas confirmation hearings too.

[Cboldt]

I doubt that President Bush is vindictive man ... I wouldn't blame him for being vindictive towards people who, despite his other nominations to the courts, say they can't trust him.

I don't blame for feeling that, but that emotion should not play into his pick for the nomination.