Shuffling nominees, Bush may hit jackpot (Sen. Reid suggested Miers???)

SFC ^ | Jan. 15, 2006 | Carolyn Lochhead

[FairOpinion]

With the O'Connor seat, Bush will have seized the grand prize of the decades-long struggle over the ideological balance of the Supreme Court.

Fate's ironic twists along that path are instructive. Bush wanted to name a minority or a woman to the O'Connor seat. He consulted with Democrats and even named someone they suggested. But it was not to be.

Eager to avoid a confirmation fight and appoint a woman if not a Hispanic to succeed O'Connor -- the first woman named to the Supreme Court -- Bush accepted the advice of Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid and chose White House counsel Harriet Miers.

The choice proved fatal -- initially for the Bush White House, but perhaps ultimately for Democrats.

Miers lacked not just a paper trail, but many analysts and activists attacked her basic qualifications to sit on the high court. Conservatives rebelled and after 24 days of relentless pounding, Miers withdrew her nomination.

Four days after Miers quit, Bush nominated Alito.

Liberals have not yet given up the fight to stop Alito's confirmation. A coalition of groups has opened a national campaign to generate public opposition and Senate Democrats may postpone a vote in hopes that public momentum willturn their way. But they have an uphill climb, and it appears Alito will get a final Senate vote by the end of the month.

[FairOpinion]

This is the first I heard that the Dems suggested or approved of Miers, although they have been very quiet during the time the Repubicans stood up and demanded that she withdraw herself from consideration.

But I am glad we are ending up with Alito.

[JohnnyZ]

This is the first I heard that the Dems suggested or approved of Miers

You must not have paid any attention those 24 days. It was widely reported and frequently referred to.

[Carling]

First you have heard?

Reid came out right away after the Miers nomination and said he agreed with it.

The leftist kooks gave some cover while the right lined up to oppose her. A brilliant rope a dope, albeit unintentional.

[Walkingfeather]

There is no way in Hell we will see Miers name up again.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

He should have asked us, to hell with what the dems want.

[pepsionice]

Miers wouldn't even let them bring up her name. It is curious why Reid supported her...and perhaps it was to "trap" GW into an idea of putting his good friend up for the nomination and then fall flat on his face. I doubt that GW will consult any senator about nominations again...he learned the lesson on this episode.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Write your Senators NOW and tell them you want Alito confirmed! I've already done so.

[FairOpinion]

"Reid came out right away after the Miers nomination and said he agreed with it."


===

But I thought that was just to save his ammunition for later. I had no idea, he approved it or even proposed it beforehand.

[ThomasPaine2000]

I'm from TEXAS, I have have confidence in my Senators.
The rest of you,, do the best you can. PLEASE!!!

[YaYa123]

Check out the video here, Harry Reid gushing over Harriet Miers:

http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/000992.php

[TomGuy]

Yes. Reid recommended her and the typical group of libDems on the Judiciary were all in favor. They (libDems) decried the complaints from the 'extreme' conservatives. They cried when she withdrew her name.

[Because the libDems seemed to want her so bad, that sent up a stink to many of those right of center. Why are the libDems so favorable of her? The whole situation of her nomination smelled.]

[The Worthless Miracle]

It's a betrayal of conservative principles for President Bush to think for second about race or gender when nominating a Justice. Race and gender do not matter, and this PC nonsense will plague us until we demand restoring common sense.
If a rich priveliged white man is the best nominee, he should get the nomination, same if it is a Black woman from a poor background.

[Texas Mom]

Write your Senators NOW and tell them you want Alito confirmed! I've already done so.

I don't need to. My Senators are Bailey Hutchinson and Cornyn. I did send Cornyn a note with Kudos' and an atta boy attached.

[TomGuy]

Correct.

GWB got an ill wind when O'Connor first gave her resignation. He may have seriously considered Alberto, but apparently got wind that the base would be up in arms over it, and Gonzalez had just been appointed Attorney General.

Then Rehnquist died and the Chief Justice position became paramount to fill first.

Now, should another opening occur, it will be interesting to see whether GW allows the Dems much influence or whether he nominates another more conservative person -- knowing that would almost ensure a filibuster.

[Lancey Howard]

This is the first I heard that the Dems suggested or approved of Miers

Yeah, that's old news I'm afraid. Still, this is a new angle on what it ultimately did to the rats.

[Lancey Howard]

same if it is a Black woman from a poor background

Such a person is indeed qualified to sit on the Supreme Court and I sure hope that she is Bush's next selection. A little time on that Appeals Court can only help.

[The Worthless Miracle]

It just galls me knowing that the dems wouldn't THINK about giving even a moderate conservative a chance on the Supreme Court, but the Republicans, in power, will play footsie with the PC crowd and worry about race and gender and (worst of all) the leanings of the justice being replaced.

[John Lenin]

I'm glad Rush and Ann Coulter held their ground and pounded W over Miers. At first I thought she was ok but the more that came out about her convinced me that she was a closet liberal.

[msnimje]

If President Bush gets another choice I think he should nominate Kenneth Star.
During the Alito hearings the Dems spouted off about Alito's perceived deference to the President.
Surely Starr cannot be accused of that!

[Beckwith]

There is no such thing as the "O'Connor Seat."