Posted on 10/12/2005 3:30:33 AM PDT by ejdrapes
OCT. 11, 2005: A SINKING NOMINATION There has not been a moment since October 3 when I have not felt sick and sad about this Miers battle, but today may have been the worst day yet. This morning, the president mobilized Laura Bush to join him on national television and accuse critics of the Miers nomination of "sexism." Reading the transcript of the interview, you can feel this kind and gracious woman's disinclination to speak an untruth. "It's possible," she says. "I think it's possible." What a terrible and false position to put the first lady in! And what a sign that the White House has finally understood that it has lost the argument over this nomination. By asking the first lady to defend the nomination, the White House is implicitly admitting that the president's word alone has failed to carry the day: That, in other words, when he said, "Trust me," conservatives said "No." The first lady's appearance was a dangerous confession of personal and political weakness by the president - one that will be noticed and exploited by the president's Democratic opponents. Even more ominously, the Today show interview announces a new strategy of trying to win the Miers nomination by waging war on the president's core supporters. In the first week of the battle, the White House sent out James Dobson to woo evangelical conservatives. That didn't work out too well. So now the White House has switched strategies. It has turned its back on conservative evangelicals and is instead using Laura Bush to woo suburban moderates. But remember: Laura Bush is on record as a supporter - not just of abortion rights - but of the Roe v. Wade decision. Interviewed on the Today program in January 2001, Mrs. Bush was asked point blank about the case. Her answer: "No, I don't think it should be overturned." Is it credible that Mrs. Bush would be endorsing Harriet Miers if the first lady thought that Miers would really do what James Dobson thinks she'll do? It is madness for a 37% president to declare war on his strongest supporters, but that is exactly the strategy that this unwise nomination has forced upon President Bush. And every day that passes, he will get angrier, the attacks will get fiercer - and his political position will weaken. That is why it is wrong and dangerous for Republicans to say, "Let's wait for the hearings." Even if the hearings start in the next couple of weeks, as the White House now says it wishes, the Miers matter will extend itself at least into November. That's a month and more of the president's team accusing the president's supporters of sexism, elitism, and who knows what else; a month of rising tension between this president and the conservatives who elected him; a month in which the president's poll numbers will drop even further. The longer it continues, the costlier this battle will prove for the president. And if forced to its ultimate conclusion, the odds are rising that this is a battle that will end in ultimate defeat for Miers and for Bush. Under these circumstancs, the least bad solution is for the president to withdraw this nomination now, before he does himself further and growing harm. Many readers have asked what they can do to help achieve a good resolution of this crisis. Here are a few suggestions. First, please send an email to Rush Limbaugh and Laura Ingraham thanking them for their brave stance against this nomination. These two broadcasters have been tireless and fearless on this story - but they are under intense and increasing pressure, and it makes a huge difference to them to know that their work is heard and supported. (And let me add: It has made a huge difference to me as well.) Next, communicate with the Republican Senators on the Judiciary committee. Lindsey Graham has already committed himself to the nominee, but the others have not - and Brownback in particular seems to be leaning negative. It will again make a huge difference to these senators to know that conservatives across America will support them if they stand up to White House pleasure. Finally, some friends and I have drafted a petition to the president that we will shortly be putting on a webpage for all who wish to sign. Here's the draft text: "WE ARE REPUBLICANS AND CONSERVATIVES who supported the election of George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004. Today, we respectfully urge that the nomination of Harriet Miers to the United States Supreme Court be withdrawn. "The next justice of the Supreme Court should be a person of clear, consistent, and unashamed conservative philosophy. "The next justice should be seen by all as an independent custodian of the constitution, untainted by any hint of secret pledges or political obligations. "The next justice should be a person of the highest standard of intellectual and juridical excellence. "For all Harriet Miers' many fine qualities and genuine achievements, we the undersigned believe that she is not that person. An attempt to push her nomination through the Senate will only split the Republican party, damage the Bush presidency, and cast doubts upon the Court itself. "Sometimes Americans elect Republican presidents, sometimes we elect Democratic presidents. Whatever the differences between the parties, surely we can at least agree on this: Each party owes America its best. President Bush has a wide range of truly outstanding conservative jurists from which to choose. We believe that on second thought he can do better - for the Supreme Court, for conservatism, for America." Comments on this draft text are welcome, but PLEASE do not yet send signatures. When the site is ready to take and forward your message to the White House, I'll post a note and link here at NRO. Don't worry, we'll act fast.
Party and ideology are two far different things. Bush is not now and never has been a "conservative". He tacked that word on to his "Republicanism" for votes pure and simple.
True conservatives have called him to show his hand and he has showed himself to be user. Using his own wife, that is shameful.
Well, the President is LEADING now, and you don't like it. Which is it?
"Did I say I spoke for you? Perhaps you're not familiar with the concept of a forum.
Please feel free to pay my share of the Katrina boondoggle"
You wish you could speak for me, as you bash everyone that disagrees with your position. Your attitude and style are meant to demean and embarrass those with opposing views, in hopes of changing those opinions.
I lost two homes, a car, and one business in Katrina. I have one damaged business, and a moderately damaged home we live in. I did NOT ask for, and DO NOT want YOUR money, or your help. Keep it!
LLS
Maybe. But those of us in the wait-and-see camp know who is more vitriolic. I have not been attacked or called any names once by a pro-Miers person. I can't say the same for the anti-Miers side.
Except that Ruthie was an eminently qualified attorney, and one's argument is "merely" philosophical.
I couldn't disagree more strongly. There's an expecation that the President will try to fill Sandra O'Connor's seat with another woman.
That's not sexist, nor is it sexism.
I agree with Miss Marple on this one. Too many conservatives have nursed a fantasy: Bush will pack the Supreme Court with people who think as we do. Roe v. Wade will be overturned in short order. The battle will be won! And if it doesn't happen this way, Bush has betrayed us. The fact is, just as you may have suspected, Bush cares more about other issues, including tort reform, than about overturning Roe. The same would hold true of any politician with the wits to get himself elected president. He isn't president of the conservatives; he has a country to run.
It isn't 1973 any more. Even if Roe were overturned tomorrow, there would still be almost as many abortions as before because the most populated states would legalize it forthwith. This battle -- and in fact, all the points on the conservative agenda -- can only be won in the arena of public opinion.
As for Miers, while she wouldn't have been my choice, she will probably be a good enough addition to the court. In the end, she might have more influence on the liberal justices than a strict conservative would.
Anyway, I hate to see conservatives whine. Leave that to the DU crowd.
:-)
Frum is the conservative who got fired from the White House for blabbing.
Do not confuse Frum with Kristol, the conservative who has been busy knifing Republicans in the back since 1988.
And of course, let's not forget George Will, the conservative who opposed the nuclear option.
That's a dodge. Please provide some evidence of my "hate". Don't toss smoke bombs.
LOL
Only 26.3% of Freepers are opposed. If you can't find 46% of Freepers who are opposed then, the question is, where the heck are you finding them?
You can find no descriptive "name" in my posts, nor will you find any anger or disdain. I am pointing out that hate is being directed at people that disagree, but share a basic political philosophy.
Everyone has a right to their opinion, but why are we allowing FR to resemble DU over this disagreement?
LLS
and don't forget Ann Coulter, who rabidly opposed John Roberts on the same "stealth" candidate grounds.
I see, so I guess we will have to run anything by you to see if it passes the "true Conservative" test?
Don't hold your breath waiting... you might just turn blue! ;-)
LLS
For me at least, life will never be the same. No biggie just different.
I guess there has been plenty of that evil flying in both directions. I wish it would stop, and civil debate take its place.
Heck, I am attacked for just asking for civility in debate.
LS
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