[Cboldt]

Assuming, for the sake argument, that the Miers nomination is withdrawn, I hope he nominates Alberto Gonzales and very publicly reminds the Federalist Society that they are not president, he is.

What motivates you in that direction? Is Alberto Gonzales the best candidate for the job?

[ekwd]

I wrote that because I think that the Federalist Society members(as shorthand for her opponents), including the White House and Senate aides, have descended to the level of Ralph Neas and People For The American Way in their opposition. What particularly disturbs me is the smear that John Fund has been peddling- that Harriet Miers law firm was paid a lot of money because Miers bribed Ben Barnes not to spill the beans on GWB's National Guard service. I am also offended by the conlawyers abandonment of the long-held conservative principle that the president should be deferred to for judicial nominations. Yes, they have the First Amendment right to oppose her, but not the right to dictate who the president will or will not nominate. If she does poorly in the hearings, she can be voted down. If the president does give in to the pressure or if Miers requests that her name be withdrawn, I hope he nominates Gonzales precisely because he is not one of their chosen ones.