Why is it that the folks who support the President's nomination of Miers are called "Republicans" (as opposed to "conservatives"), while those who oppose the nomination are called "conservatives" -- even though much of the opposition to her nomination is coming from people like John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Bill Kristol, etc. who are among the most limp-wristed "conservatives" on the national scene?
If I may interject, AC, sense the question wasn't asked of me.
I've come to the conclusion that more often than not, "conservatism," "real conservative," and "true conservative" are simply euphemisms for a type of identity politics. That's how I now see it.
If you want a Google GMail account, FReepmail me.
Also, please see The Backside of American History
You'll love this 187 page .pdf (1.99 MB)
Maybe it's because the perception of the Miers supporters, in the absence of much (if any) substantial data, appear -- rightly or wrongly -- to be taking a stand in support of the President, while one of the primary reasons given (on our side) for opposing her is because we have no evidence that she is the Scalia/Thomas-type judge that we all hope she is and that there was a good list of more proven candidates.
Of course, the media still thinks conservative is a bad word and hopes it can discredit the opponents as a bunch of crazy extremists with fangs and bloodshot eyes. Unfortunately for them, more people are conservatives by their own description than liberals and conservative ideas are at leat the plurality opinion these days.
Among those rightly omitted from the "limp-wristed" list we find names like Paul Weyrich, Skousen family, Phyllis Schlafly etc.
— "Few living Americans have done as much to shape the nation's direction as Phyllis Schlafly, who is arguably the most important woman in American political history. Washington Times, 10-07-05 "
Like it or not these are the foundation of conservatism at it's initiation as a reply to New Deal policies and then ERA.
They are also among the many who have expressed profound disappointment with Miers' nomination. Only the profoundly inept can ignore their voices just the way the voices of the writers are ignored.