My impression is that quite a few are arguing exactly that. That the blowback is coming from an insignificant part of the GOP support.
The only argument is over how well she will do in hearings and how may conservative votes she'll cast in rulings next year.
No. There are several other arguments. Miers proponents tend to focus and speculate -ONLY- on Miers' prospective performance. There are other issues.
Opponents of Miers need to think very carefully about their intentions and whether or not those intentions advance liberalism.
You cast the argument in "opposition to Miers" when it really is "opposition to a nomination that doesn't assert conservatism." Proponents of Miers need to likewise think very carefully about their intentions and whether or not those intentions advance liberalism.
As always, these things are not about what you can gain. They are about what you can avoid losing.
That comes off as an admission of weakness.
All actions must be viewed in terms of denying Democrats the right to nominate left wing extremist Justices.
All defense. No offense. The team that uses that strategy is apt to lose.
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All actions must be viewed in terms of denying Democrats the right to nominate left wing extremist Justices.
All defense. No offense. The team that uses that strategy is apt to lose.
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Look, it's not football. It's people. I know that sounds all touchy feely and squishy, but it need not be that.
Let's envision offense. Lets walk up to some rugged rural guy's house back in the woods of Maine. Let's knock on the door and say to him,
"We're offering you a real candidate for a change. Our guy doesn't mess around. We're going to do away with this public school focus. You have kids? Yeah, we're going to arrange so they can go to a better school. Our guy is going to step up to the plate and make damn sure we don't deal with these a**hole Democrats anymore. We have checked into where you are supposed to vote. Here's the address, but we're bringing a van around this area election day and it will be here in front of your house. That will be easier for you. We'll be here at 9 AM."
Here's the reply to that "playing of offense".
"If your van stops in front of my house, I can't do anything about that. If you come onto my land to knock on my door, I will set my dogs on you. My father was a Democrat and that's how I've always voted. I have never thought he was an a**hole. I think you're an a**hole. My kids never did nothing to hurt you and now you want to rip them out schools they are used to. You have 1 minute to get off my land."
You go ahead and play offense in liberal areas. You'll lose 10 Senate seats.