Misguided defenders of Miers
Such is the perfect perversity of the nomination of Harriet Miers that it discredits, and even degrades, all who toil at justifying it. Many of their justifications cannot be dignified as arguments. Of those that can be, some reveal a deficit of constitutional understanding commensurate with that which it is, unfortunately, reasonable to impute to Miers. Other arguments betray a gross misunderstanding of conservatism on the part of persons masquerading as its defenders.
Bush says won't release papers on court pick Miers
WASHINGTON -- President George W. Bush, citing confidentiality, said on Monday he would refuse to release documents showing what U.S. Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers recommended to him as a White House lawyer. "That would breach very important confidentiality, and it's a red line I'm not willing to cross," Bush told reporters, setting up a possible showdown with lawmakers. Senate Democrats and Republicans have sought White House documents related to Miers' work for Bush as they prepare for her confirmation hearing, set to begin on November 7.
Conservatives Escalate Opposition to Miers
WASHINGTON -- Conservative activists intensified their opposition to the Supreme Court nomination of Harriet Miers Monday, launching two Web sites and planning radio and television advertising aimed at forcing her withdrawal. The advocacy groups, which had expected to use their vast mailing lists and fund-raising networks to support President Bush's Supreme Court nominees, instead are employing those tools to sow concern about Miers' conservative credentials and lack of judicial experience among their constituents outside Washington.