I was wrong; so please join me in supporting Harriet Miers.

[Pukin Dog]

Because should their ever be a Republican Senate with more backbone, they might then wish to be considered. Publicly turning down nomination would kill future chances for consideration.

[pollyannaish]

This entire fiasco is a mess.

We are all running around like ninnies in tight little circles feeding on our own hysteria and in serious need of a quick get-a-grip slap to the side of the head so we can calm down, get our act together and look for some kind of reasonable way forward.

Put another way—whatever happens don't leave me in the Superdome with some of the people I've bumped into these last few days.

[bonfire]

You just nailed it. I've been staying away from these threads because I knew it would drive me to drink....more.

[SE Mom]

I dearly love Laura Bush and I disagree with her that this uproar is even a little bit sexist in nature.

This is showing a divide and a bitterness within our party I (naively I guess) had no idea even existed. I know we all have particular interests and causes within the conservative movement- and we debate how they may be most effectively realized. Yet I still thought we were all on the same side. I guess during Schiavo is when I first saw the hate- now it's become embarrassingly apparent.

[Pukin Dog]

It is a mess, and it is going to get worse before it gets better. Rush was right yesterday. There are the makings of a Conservative divorce from the Republican party if things don't calm down soon.

[Pukin Dog]

This mess lays at the feet of the administration.

They failed to understand that much of Bush's support came from the belief that he would fix what is wrong with the Supreme Court. Many believe he betrayed them with the Miers selection, and that genie cant be put back in the bottle, even if she does withdraw.

Frankly, I dont know how Bush fixes this.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

Where do conservatives go? To the dims? No. To an independent party?

[GB]

So where do we go? I'm not being flippant, I'm being serious. Because the way things are right now, the only chance of accomplishing anything is within the two-party system. And there aren't enough of us ... and I may get flamed for this, but IMHO folks who believe like we Freepers do, I'm not talking about how they vote but what they believe in their heart of hearts, are a minority in this country ... to go third party with any success whatsoever.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

Agreed. The Repubs are our best shot.

[pollyannaish]

LOL. It's a good thing I don't drink, because this would send me right out into the gutter with a bottle of something cheap in a brown paper bag.

I just keep reminding myself that this too shall pass—and hope and pray we're in reasonably decent condition on the other side.

[deport]

The wings are coming off.

---

May happen but then I've seen you yell and scream wolf before with no results....

My guess is that this will play itself out overtime and Ms. Miers will be confirmed as the next AJ.. The real test is her abilities during the hearing. If she can do well she'll have no problems regardless of how much the fringe elements are upset....

[AxelPaulsenJr]

Corrected: The Repubs are our only shot.

[Pukin Dog]

Where do we go? Hopefully NOWHERE.

We need to grow up and understand that our leaders are not perfect. Bush made a genuine mistake, but I am supporting his choice based on the fact that he was practically forced to choose Miers, when no one else would (or could) take the job.

Bush had no choice, so I forgive him for this. But he erred in assuming that his supporters would march in lockstep with their mouths shut.

But the administration makes a much worse mistake when they attack those who question Miers with the sexist and elitist tags. They made their jobs a lot harder, and I can only guess that Karl Rove is too busy defending himself than to have time to tell others to shut the hell up.

[SE Mom]

A mess, no doubt.

[pollyannaish]

Then why hasn't a single one of them stated this publicly? And the only nominee I had seen, though not verified, that withdrew her name for consideration is Priscilla Owen.

Ok jla...I want you to think about this for just a moment.

You've been put through the wringer for several years going through a confirmation process on a lower court. The press hounds you, digs into you background, hassles your friends, relatives, third grade teacher, accountant and landscaper. You're tired, you're worn out, you just want to settle into your new home, get your kids and family settled into some kind of life.

Then, the President calls. Tells you he'd like to nominate you to the Supreme Court. You look at your wife and kids. You know that you once ate paste in third grade, and you bounced a check to the landscaper in 1971 and had to take antidepressants for a brief time during the Carter administration.

And you say thanks but no thanks. I want to keep a low profile until all the hysteria dies down.

Now...why would this person want to wander out in front of the press to say he/she didn't want the job again? Do you think the press might be just a tad curious as to WHY you didn't want to be considered?

Do you think the press would be hesitant to splash banner headlines declaring that "JLA unfit to serve due to paste eating...impeachment proceedings to commence immediately" to ensure you would NEVER be nominated to SCOTUS, and even better damage that evil President Bush in the process so that the charges of "corruption" that are going to be very prominent in the next election cycle will have more fuel?

That is the way of the Washington press corp. They are part of the axis of evil...it's just that we forget when we happen to agree with them.

And that is also why, in my opinion, you don't go running to the press to excuse yourself from consideration under most circumstances. Priscilla Owens was a brave woman. But I believe she outed herself BEFORE all the controversy hit, and that makes a world of difference.

[lentulusgracchus]

I"m like, huh? I thought Roe v. Wade WAS the be all end all of the extreme right wing.

No, RKBA is in there, too. And land use and ownership in the West. And affirmative action. And anti-masculine screedery in general cast as policy.

Lots of goodies in the old liberal basket that need to be got rid of.

[jla]

I really appreciate your comments.
But, haven't nominees to the SCOTUS, (in modern times), always been put under a microscope by the press? The probing from an unfriendly press corps is nothing new to judges nominated by a GOP President.

[LS]

Hmmm. I said earlier that ONLY Republicans could keep Miers from being confirmed. Looks like I was right on this.

[pollyannaish]

Honestly, I think this has been coming in for the last 10 years.

It is much more difficult to be a majority party, then the minority party. It's the same dynamic that keeps Super Bowl winners from dominating year after year.

The win is often more about heart than fundamentals...and it throws the teamwork angle into disarray.