Mark, you have just made an argument for that lefty talking point known as "crony-ism". You are a helluva smart guy and your colleagues were as well yet you could not vet Anthony Kennedy well enough because you simply didn't know the man. Well, Bush knows this woman and given his appointments at the appellate level with the help and advice of Harriet Miers I am more than willing to withhold judgement on her appointment until after the hearings.
At the same time, I am more than happy to defend Miss Miers from the invective, personal attacks and talking points emanating from the right and the left. I don't accuse you of that but it is legion here at FR and it's making me sick.