Replies

I don't think the "sexism" charges are for being against a woman for Supreme Court Justice. On the contrary, many of the biggest critics of Miers support Owens and Brown.

The sexism charge is for the type of attacks Miers is facing. She was Staff Secretary for the White House. It is a very powerful position which requires an intellect. The staff secretary is the last substantive control point before papers reach the Oval Office. Critics have seized on the word "secretary" and have accused her of being not qualified because she was one step above the White House maid. The word "secretary" used with a woman means clerk. If a man was "Staff Secretary" it would not be assumed he was a glorified file clerk.

I have read and heard comments on Miers hair, make-up and clothing. I do not recall Roberts being judged by NRO on how grooming habits.

Tony Snow was just ragging on Miers for being able to make a sweet potato pie. Why that little factoid is even being discussed is a mystery. Did the cooking habits of Scalia and Thomas ever get brought up?

Miers has been called every name in the book because she is not married. Somehow an unmarried "spinster" is just not qualified because she doesn't have life experience. I have also read on FR that she is just a Texas bull dike. Did Souter ever get judged on his marital status?

I think everyone is open to a woman being a Justice on the Supreme Court. The sexism charges are leveled on the mode of attack against Miers.

Well Red, I can certainly see why you'd think that the particular criticism being leveled at Harriet is part and parcel sexist. But I believe that the thrust of her opposer's critique is her relative inexperience in constitutional law. Something, by the way, I think is a plus for her.

Yes, there were malicious lies being spread about Roberts. I recall more than once reading of speculation that he might be gay. And the NY Times trying to wrest the adoption records of his children, as if there was something amiss about he and his wife taking in these children.