Harriet Miers the pick AP

[johnmecainrino]

Harriet Miers

[Republic of Texas]

Thomas was unknown, but has a powerful intellect and a spine of steel. To MOST of the obvliots in this country, ALL of these candidates are unknown. They determine whether they are known candidates based on what they hear on the 5 min of news they watch or what the girls on The View say.

[SupplySider]

Yeah, we all know what happened the last time a president named Bush nominated a relatively unknown judge that folks said wasn't the best-qualified - and who wasn't all that brilliant. We got Clarence Thomas

It's possible that Pres. Bush is playing the Dems for fools, and that both his picks will turn out to be like Thomas. I'm scared, but that might be part of the plan. Dis the conservatives, get her confirmed, then they both turn out to be Democratic nightmares.

I'm trying to convince myself, here hehe

[WVNan]

Thank you for clarification on the klintoon thing. That helps.

[Artemis Webb]

Robert Bork was qualified as hell. Who is in his SCOTUS seat?

[dirtboy]

As to Harriet's performance with the City of Dallas, why are none of the cheerleaders posting about her performance?

Well, here's what happens. Normally you wait for information to come out, and then you pass judgement.

As opposed to the likes of you, who apparently has passed judgement on a paucity of information.

[ohioWfan]

She stikes me as a Harriet Souter at this point.

Your feelings have no bearing on the truth.

Facts don't seem to be entering in to your decision making process here........

[dirtboy]

I'm trying to convince myself, here hehe

Well, the problem is, we don't know much at this point about Miers. We'll see what comes out. But most of the hand-wringing I've seen about her so far today is nonsensical. She gave to Al Gore in 1988 - when Al Gore was pretending to be a conservative southern pro-lifer. So do you read that as Miers being a liberal Dem? Or a conservative pro-life Dem?

[Republic of Texas]

I've lived in the Dallas area all my life. She was here, but never in public life. So, she wasn't in the news much. I'm sure those in the law profession here know a lot about her.

As far as contributions, ALL attorneys give to both parties, CYA. They are attorneys after all.

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

Clarence Thomas had already been confirmed by the United States Senate-multiple times-and had served as an appellate judge.

He had already earned the contempt of Howard Metzenbaum and Paul Simon-to name just two extraordinarily radical Democrats that continually tried to deny him-and had an established record at the EEOC.

What's more, he had numerous high-profile Republican officeholders who spoke in his favor prior to his ultimate confirmation to the Supreme Court.

[demkicker]

Oh brother, I didn't realize there were so many hysterical FReepers! Blows my mind.... Howlin reminded everyone on another thread that some of the same nonsense was said about Cheney when Bush picked him as his VP running-mate.

I'm not nuts about this pick either, but why won't people give the President the benefit of the doubt before threatening the GOP/RNC? This pick COULD end up being a brilliant one. I realize Bush has disappointed many with the lack of boarder control and spending, but he's made some brilliant judicial picks and nominations and has proven himself in this regard.

Bush HAD to have considered the affect this pick will have on this country, thus his legacy. I would imagine the sting of his father's fatal Souter appointment has made a HUGE impression on him.

I trust that Bush learned from the sins of his father and has selected someone he KNOWS will be loyal to the Constitution and to him. He has to realize the fate of his legacy and the GOP will essentially lie in Harriet Miers hands. If he's comfortable with that, then I think the rest of us should at least keep our powder dry.

[ohioWfan]

Smokescreen.............and ignorance.

Once they find out who she really is, they'll be plenty upset.

[HAL9000]

Zero judicial experience. The Democrats will eat this alive. And the Conservatives will join in.

Wm. Rehnquist had no judicial experience when President Nixon nominated him.

[NittanyLion]

So do you read that as Miers being a liberal Dem? Or a conservative pro-life Dem?

Either way you cut it, she identified most closely with the Democrats as late as 1988.

[bonfire]

I'm impressed that you are still hanging in here! You have more stamina and patience than I'LL ever have!

[finnigan2]

"This president makes good appointments, so until I see evidence to the contrary, I will, for now, assume that she is a good, solid conservative."

- I can't find anything to disagree with you but would only add that Bush's Christian beliefs are real and deeply held. I don't see him knowingly appointing a nominee with a judicial activist temperament to the Court, let alone one with a pro choice agenda. He's worked closely with her for years and they must have gone over these hot button topics many times, both socially and in a legal advisory sense so I'm sure he believes he knows how she thinks on many issues.

[WVNan]

In fact, when klintoon picked Al as his VP I was comforted somewhat. I was scared to death of the toon, and felt that Al would give him some balance. Shows how wrong one can be.

[ohioWfan]

Although after watching the Roberts hearings, I'm pretty confident that he is an originalist

So is Vice President Cheney. Good enough for me.

[dirtboy]

And he was continually referred to as not being that well qualified - and that there were other, more qualified judges.

That's my point here - I don't look just at experience. To me, the key consideration is pretty basic - does the nominee believe that words have specific meaning? Or that the meaning of words, such as "commerce" and "general welfare" can be modified as needed?

Everything else is static.

[dirtboy]

Either way you cut it, she identified most closely with the Democrats as late as 1988.

As did many Southern conservatives...

[onyx]

Leahy already has "concerns' --- lol --- she's too closely associated with POTUS and HIS views.