Posted on 10/27/2005 6:50:08 AM PDT by Hadean
President Bush's statement after Harriet Miers' withdrew her nomination to the Supreme Court today, as released by the White House:
Today, I have reluctantly accepted Harriet Miers decision to withdraw her nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States.
I nominated Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court because of her extraordinary legal experience, her character, and her conservative judicial philosophy. Throughout her career, she has gained the respect and admiration of her fellow attorneys. She has earned a reputation for fairness and total integrity. She has been a leader and a pioneer in the American legal profession. She has worked in important positions in state and local government and in the bar. And for the last five years, she has served with distinction and honor in critical positions in the Executive Branch.
I understand and share her concern, however, about the current state of the Supreme Court confirmation process. It is clear that senators would not be satisfied until they gained access to internal documents concerning advice provided during her tenure at the White House disclosures that would undermine a president's ability to receive candid counsel. Harriet Miers' decision demonstrates her deep respect for this essential aspect of the constitutional separation of powers and confirms my deep respect and admiration for her.
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
WOW
I wish her nothing but happiness ahead.
Who's next in line to have their character assassinated?
Miss Miers is right to withdraw and the President is right to accept her withdrawal letter. I wish Harriet Miers all the happiness in the world.
I've sent the following letter to both my Senators and to President Bush. I urge everyone to do likewise.
Dear President Bush:
It is unfortunate that Ms. Miers has had to withdraw her nomination. I voted for you, and while I was initially disappointed with this choice, I decided that I had trusted you and would continue to do so. I changed my mind and requested my Senators, Senator Richard Shelby, and Senator Jeff Sessions, to support this nomination.
However, there is no doubt that this nomination has caused severe political turmoil among conservatives, and has probably contributed heavily to your recent fall in the polls. Nevertheless, Ms. Miers' unselfish action has presented you with an opportunity to recover the damage and lead the conservative cause and the Republican Party to major victories in 2006 and 2008.
Please, Mr. President. Please nominate someone who has unblemished conservative credentials and a substantial record of originalist constitutional interpretation. Someone that will cause the Democrats to invoke a filibuster, and will enrage their leftist base. We, your loyal base, want a fight. We MUST turn the Supreme Court, not necessarily to the right, but back to its true function, which is not legislating from the bench.
Yes, this will be "divisive". But the country is already divided. This is not a fight over what are the appropriate means to reach an agreed upon goal. This is a fight about what the goals are. There is no middle ground, no areas for compromise. One side will win; one side will lose. In many regards this is like the fight against Islamofacism that you are conducting in Iraq, Afghanistan, and unknown areas of the world.
Please, Mr. President. Choose your next nominee carefully and take the fight to the enemy.
Well, no, I take that back: Now that the White House has withdrawn Meirs (albeit allowing her to save face), opposing THAT makes you anti-American and a Bush Basher.
Here comes Alberto Gonzoles.
I was taking a "wait and see" attitude, as I do with all of the President's decisions.
In the back of my mind I suspected she was going to be a "fall guy" in one way or another for him the minute the 'Rats started saying nice things about her, or at least not immediately crucifying her.
Now, give us another Thomas or another Scalia and let the REAL games begin! I want to see some DemonRat heads explode, loudly, and on National Television. :)
"Looks like the whiners have gotten their way."
Since when has objective criticism been whining?
"Please, Mr. President. Choose your next nominee carefully and take the fight to the enemy."
Well said! Well done! :)
A rational decision.
Bush will recover. Reagan had a bad time of it when Bork went down and Ginsberg withdrew.
I don't think its too much to ask of Bush that he nominate somebody who infuritates Chuck Schumer. I mean, if you can't hit that low bar, what are we even doing here?
This is about the tenth time I've seen this "prediction" on FR in the last 30 minutes. Look, it was the movement conservatives (and I count myself among them) who most strongly opposed this nomination. I think the Pres. is smart enough to see that, therefore I think it highly unlikely that he would nominate the AG.
Bush, calls out an obstructionist legislature and the various haters in government for what they are...whack jobs without a clue.
Honestly, IMHO, Miers would probably be a good justice...she probably is pretty conservative but a vague past and a lack of judicial experience and record is a tough hurdle to get over...especially when nominated to the supreme court.
Bush's heart is probably in the right place but he needed to think a bit more before making an appointment to the "supreme" court.
Miers, shows that she is truly on Bush's side...by withdrwaing, perhaps that alone will endear her to her previous republican detractors...and, hopefully, Bush will appoint someone else that would be a good justice but a tougher target for character attacks.
Bush might need some good advice from an old pal should Rove go down tomorrow.
Thank you Mr. President! We will fight for you, but we must know who we are fighting for!!
Great letter and great attitude. We should all follow your example.
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