Let me tell you a story from my own personal experience. My boss once needed to pick someone to represent our organization at headquarters. He selected a marginally competent and extremely loyal guy who had worked with us for years. When I asked the boss why, he said, "this guy may not be the best, but he'll do exactly what we want." Well, you already know the rest of the story. This guy got promoted into the headquarters job and was extremely loyal...to his new boss. We held no sway, and our old crony worked tirelessly against us.
Facts are, you really don't know how someone is going to act until they are placed in a position of authority, but you can increase your odds by picking a person who has fought for your goals on their own. Harriet Miers, no matter what the president says, is not the best pick for the job. She isn't even close. If she WAS, we wouldn't be having these heated discussion on FR.
What is really bothering me more and more is the Administration pushing her history with the ABA as her most impressive accomplishments.
The ABA is a very liberal organization and in many ways holds opposite views of the Federalist Society.
How is this supposed to comfort Conservative?
Unlike the loyal guy in your story, a new Supreme Court justice will not have a new boss. She won't be "working" for anyone. Who could she be loyal to except her friends, who will mostly be former Bush administration people (once the Bush term is over).
I seem to recall discussions on Roberts on FR. NO one can say with certainty how anyone is going to change over the years.PERIOD
"This guy got promoted into the headquarters job and was extremely loyal...to his new boss."
That's an excellent analogy. What is Miers going to do when she's surrounded by liberals who have far more experience and qualifications than her, as well as the DC media culture.