2005: PICK PRAISES FEDERALIST SOCIETY IN SPEECH - Drudge

Drudge Report ^ | 10/13/2005 | Drudge

[KMAJ2]

XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX THU OCT 13, 2005 12:52:43 ET XXXXX

2005: PICK PRAISES FEDERALIST SOCIETY IN SPEECH

**Exclusive**

The DRUDGE REPORT has obtained exclusive excerpts from a speech Bush Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers made to the DC Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society on April 29, 2005.

At the speech Miers’ declared, “You [the Federalist Society] are an important ally on many issues, especially in our battles to ensure for our Nation a distinguished Federal judiciary, a judiciary the American people deserve.”

MORE

Miers went on: “There is a reason White House Counsels have sought out your organization for over twenty years: the influence your organization has developed within the legal society and society as a whole.

"From your educational publications to your various speaking events to your network of legal professionals, you have stimulated an on-going debate about the principles of the Constitution. Our Nation is better for it. And as this debate has raged your organization has grown tremendously.”

A Republican strategist told of the excerpts was not surprised. “Harriet Miers has at least five lawyers who are members of the Federalist Society on her own staff in the White Counsels Office.”

[KMAJ2]

I would love to see the full transcript. But I find the speech to the Federalist Society last April (before any thoughts of her nomination were considered) to be very relevant insight into this nominee. To date, most criticisms are based on events from long ago. The fact she has 5 Federalist Society lawyers on her staff, the evolution of her thoughts on the Federalist Society from the often quoted 1988 comments are also a positive.

I have a feeling that this speech is why Leonard Leo of the Federalist Society and Jay Sekulow support her so strongly. Why the transcript of this speech was not released earlier is a mystery. I await the release of the full transcript instead of excerpts.

[jstolzen]

Um, the 5 Federalist Society people on her staff were hired by Gonzo, NOT HM!

While she didn't hate them enough to fire them outright, reports are that she wasn't too happy to have them there, either.

And, I see that you missed the REAL juicy bit of this Drudge report. She apparently called the FS a "politically charged organization", while saying that the NAACP was NOT politically charged (shortly after they torpedoed Bork, among other nasty things that they did - ALL political).

Also, note in her 2005 speech all of the vague platitudes and referring to her audience in a distant, arms-length way. It is clear from her words that she does NOT agree with the group's philosophies or principles.

This nomination is a disaster, and needs to be rescinded ASAP!

[wingnutx]

flip flop

[bornacatholic]

Amen, brother.

[al_again]

I don't see how they can keep pressing - I was giving this seven days, I think it will happen sooner now.

[lt.america]

I did read that transcript from 17 years ago and I took it as a very political response to a question based on race and civil rights. Ask any Rep. Senator the same question in 88 and I bet 50% of them may answer the same way.

[DTogo]

Politicians give speeches to all sorts of groups they want votes from, and then don't follow through on their campaign promises. Case in point right here.

[Cicero]

Harriet Miers is famous for saying nice things to everyone to grease the wheels. She keeps a special jar of M&Ms in her office and welcomes anyone to come in and help themselves.

Also, working for Bush, part of her job is to keep Bush's constituencies happy. Would she be likely to insult the Federalist Society?

But, when did she join the Federalist Society? When did she DO anything to promote their views? I'd be interested to know if there is anything more in this speech than pleasant platitudes.

[Shermy]

Desperate, desperate, desperate.

More circuitous innuendo about what her beliefs are rather than straight talk.

From this here we know she says nice things to people she speaks in front of. How nice!

[KMAJ2]

[[Um, the 5 Federalist Society people on her staff were hired by Gonzo, NOT HM!

While she didn't hate them enough to fire them outright, reports are that she wasn't too happy to have them there, either.]]

---

On what basis/evidence do you make the firing claim ? Umm, what reports are you referring to ? Are they substantiated and documented ? Let's see them.

[[And, I see that you missed the REAL juicy bit of this Drudge report. She apparently called the FS a "politically charged organization", while saying that the NAACP was NOT politically charged (shortly after they torpedoed Bork, among other nasty things that they did - ALL political).

Also, note in her 2005 speech all of the vague platitudes and referring to her audience in a distant, arms-length way. It is clear from her words that she does NOT agree with the group's philosophies or principles.]]

---

I see you employ a crystal ball in your analysis of her 2005 speech. I want to see the full transcript, but so far, Drudge has only provided excerpts.

As far as your blockbuster, that was a 1988 reference (hardly a 'blockbuster'), which I did address as old. What she said in 1988 is more relevant than what she said in 2005 ? That is an interesting assertion, not really.

[Plutarch]

April 29, 2005

By then, everything she was saying was mindful of her possible candidacy for a Judgeship. No one accuses her of stinting when it comes to saying that which, at any given time, happens to be politically expedient.

[L98Fiero]

Let me get this straight.

17 years ago Miers says the Federalist Society is poloically charged and she doesn't want to join. Bad.

This year she thanks the Federalist society for the great work they do, now that she is in politics. Bad.

Is it me or do some FReepers have the liberal "damned if you do, damned if you don't" mentality? The same crap they gripe about Bush-haters doing, they do. Hypocrites.

[jstolzen]

Re: difference in HM opinion between 1988 and 2005..

But, but, BUT..Dubya told us she'd "never change" once on the bench!

OMG..could he be..gasp..

WRONG?

[clawrence3]

Links to "reports" please.

[savedbygrace]

"Some of my best friends are Federalist Society members."

LOL.

[baystaterebel]

Dragging the goal posts.

Why dont you put it down, take a rest and just let the process do its job?

What is there to lose? The fact that you nay be proven wrong?

I just cant figure you people out.

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

No, Leonard Leo supports this nomination for the same reason that employees of the Bunny Ranch do what they do.

I'll let you fill in the blanks.

[clawrence3]

When did Roberts join the Federalist Society? When did he DO anything to promote their views, other than pleasant platitudes? Look, whether Miers is a Scalia / Thomas clone or Miers is the Manchurian Candidate and will vote with Ginsburg - either way, there's not much left that we can do about it. Why not unite now, and if she votes to uphold Roe v. Wade every one of us will form a third party to take the GOP down ; )

[EDINVA]

when did the NAACP torpedo Bork "shortly" before her 2005 FS speech?

[clawrence3]

Well, to be fair, if I knew Miers was going to vote to uphold Roe v. Wade I would be screaming too - because time is running out - but what is there to do short of some massive grassroots campaign, i.e. flood the phone banks of our Senators, make sure our voices get heard on talk radio, send emails to the White House, sign online petitions, and establish websites opposing her. We know the numbers. We've got the email addresses, or could hire a firm to construct a write-in website. If they want to do that, be my guest - here's a sample on-line petition: WHEREAS Harriet Miers is a stealth nominee for the Supreme Court of questionable qualifications and credentials and WHEREAS The President's nomination of Miers stinks of cronyism and has deeply dismayed many of the loyal members of this party at a crucial time in history and WHEREAS This division in the party is being exploited by Democrats who wish to see the Republican majority and electoral prospects for Republicans in 2006 dwindle and WHEREAS An esteemed group of Republican commentators and pundits from across the country and representing the views of millions of Republicans have expressed their outrage at this nomination and WHEREAS There exist a large group of alternative nominees who would be acceptable both to the deeply conservative base of the party as well as to its more moderate adherents and WHEREAS... You get the picture ; )