Miers Withdraws
Harriet Miers withdrew her own name from consideration for appointment to the Supreme Court last night; it was announced this morning. Her stated reason was to protect Presidential privilege and keep the White House from having to release confidential documents requested by the Senate. The fact that everybody hates her played no part in her decision.
I think everyone will feel some sort of relief over this. Both liberals and conservatives largely regarded the nomination as a crap shoot; every time some evidence appeared of her work for conservative causes, it was balanced by an old memo criticizing conservative groups. In the end, she could have turned out one or the other, which made it hard for anyone to want to take a chance on her.
At the same time, the door is now open to some kind of “fuck-you” gesture from Bush (though it’s not clear whether it would be the liberals or the conservatives he wants revenge on). Dumping the questionable Miers now raises the even greater question of what’s going to happen next. Either Bush is feeling so ravaged by his recent meltdown that he doesn’t think he can afford to nominate a truly bat-shit conservative, or he is feeling so shaken by the conservative defection over Miers that he thinks he has to.
We’re essentially still in the Miers spot: this could turn out to be good or it could turn out to be bad, and it’s very hard to guess which. One thing is sure: the religious right will claim this as their victory, and demand a super-freak conservative as tribute on the next go-round.
KTK: “he is feeling so shaken by the conservative defection over Miers that he thinks he has to.”
Fred: I hope you are right.
KTK: “One thing is sure: the religious right will claim this as their victory,”
Fred: Who on the religious right opposed her?
Among religiously-inspired opponents were:
“Professor Bainbridge”
Robert Bork
Charles Krauthammer
Concerned Women for America
Pat Buchana
Phyllis Schlafly
Peggy Noonan . . . and more.
Here’s an interesting list.
She did have some religious-right support also, especially Pat Robertson and James Dobson, but they were looking pretty ragged by the end. Dobson’s “secret information” fizzled, and nobody was taking his word for anything more than they were Bush’s.
UPDATE: Here’s a statement from the President of Operation Rescue, explicitly claiming credit for torpedoing Miers:
Other than Concerned Women for America and perhaps Phyllis Schlafy, the list isn’t a list of right wing religious people. Most of them would be surprised that they are considered part of the religious right. Of course, facts are minor details to liberals.
KTK: the door is now open to some kind of “f***-you” gesture from Bush (though it’s not clear whether it would be the liberals or the conservatives he wants revenge on).
Fred: This is liberal projection. Just because liberals have a mindset like that you think others do as well. Bush is not a vengeful type person. I wish he were sometimes.
KTK:
It’s worth noting that after Miers’s withdrawal, Dobson withdrew his support from Miers. Figures.
Fred:
Pat Buchanan would be surprised to be considered part of the religious right? You’re joking right? And why the “maybe” on Phyllis Schlafy?
Yeah, facts, like what the Iran-Contra scandal was all about.
t: “Yeah, facts, like what the Iran-Contra scandal was all about.”
Fred: As stated in another post, when I make a mistake I’m man enough to admit it. How about you? No? Maybe you will grow up some day.
Thanks for very interesting article. I really enjoyed reading all of your posts. It’s interesting to read ideas, and observations from someone else’s point of view… makes you think more. So please keep up the great work
Thanks for very interesting article.
Pat Buchanan would be surprised to be considered part of the religious right? You’re joking right? And why the “maybe” on Phyllis Schlafy?
The neo-conservative leaders must now begin to believe that conservatives have power and can win political fights as much as the people who support them. The tail cannot wag the dog forever.
Other than Concerned Women for America and perhaps Phyllis Schlafy, the list isn’t a list of right wing religious people. Most of them would be surprised that they are considered part of the religious right. Of course, facts are minor details to liberals.
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