President George Bush is now playing defense in a battle no one would have predicted he would have to wage: a battle to convince many in his own party — many social conservatives and libertarians — that a nominee he picked for Supreme Court justice is qualified.
Read the New York Times report on GWB's press conference yesterday and you sense a President who has stubbed his toe, is suppressing a scream, trying to smile and making things worse when he speaks
The White House avoided a Democratic filibuster but at what cost? The Miers appointment has united social and libertarian conservatives in mutual shock and disappointment. There could, in fact, be bipartisan consensus that this is not a quality choice...or...it could be the kind of choice that professional politicos of both parties in Congress could live with — one not as bad as some of the alternatives that could lead to all out partisan warfare. Partisan activists in both parties feel all out warfare is worth it.
This all makes me think it's going to be interesting to read Bush's polling numbers in the next week or so. Meanwhile, The Heretik has our latest contestant on Who Hates Harriet Miers (or at least Bush for wanting to make her a justice)?
George Will (of all people)...come on down!
The president's "argument" for her amounts to: Trust me.
There is no reason to, for several reasons. He has neither the inclination nor the ability to make sophisticated judgments about competing approaches to construing the Constitution. Few presidents acquire such abilities in the course of their pre-presidential careers, and this president particularly is not disposed to such reflections.
Furthermore, there is no reason to believe that Miers's nomination resulted from the president's careful consultation with people capable of such judgments.
Yes, I should say it's going to be very interesting watching Bush's polling numbers over the next few days...
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