According to her own words, she was the one who pushed for a woman (ie: Miers).
When she involved herself in the political process, she opened herself up for valid criticism of her words and deeds.
Interview of the President and First Lady Laura Bush by Matt Lauer, Nbc "today Show":
Q A lot of criticism coming for your nominee to the Supreme Court, Harriet Miers, from conservatives - people like Trent Lott and Pat Buchanan and George Will and Bill Kristol. Were you taken off-guard a little bit, caught by surprise by the amount of criticism you're getting for Judge Miers?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, you know, I made a decision to put somebody on the Court who hadn't been a part of what they call the judicial monastery. In other words -- I listened, by the way, to people in the Senate who suggested, why don't you get somebody from the outside. And I figured that people are going to kind of question whether or not it made sense to bring somebody from outside the Court.
I would remind those, one, that Harriet is an extraordinary, accomplished woman who has done a lot. As a matter of fact, she has consistently ranked as one of the top 50 women lawyers in the United States, that she has broken the glass ceiling. She has served as a great example. She is a brilliant person. And that just because she hasn't served on the bench doesn't mean that she can't be a great Supreme Court Justice.
Q But, you know, conservatives are worried about what's going to happen when she gets on the bench, and they're worried about what's going to happen in the future. And I get the feeling - and I'm not sure if this is too strong - I get the feeling some conservatives, President Bush, are feeling let down by you; and they're thinking they've supported you for so long and when an issue that is so important to them comes up, that you let them down. How would you answer that?
THE PRESIDENT: My answer is Harriet Miers is going to be confirmed and people will get to see why I put her on the bench. She is an extraordinary woman. She is -
Q You said she is the most qualified candidate for the job -
THE PRESIDENT: As I told you.
Q -- would you agree with that?
MRS. BUSH: Absolutely. Absolutely.
Q You had pushed for a woman to be a nominee.
MRS. BUSH: That's right. And I know Harriet well, I know how accomplished she is, I know how many times she's broken the glass ceiling, herself. She's a role model for young women around our country.
Q Some are suggesting -
MRS. BUSH: Not only that, she's very deliberate and thoughtful, and will bring dignity to wherever she goes, but certainly to the Supreme Court she'll be really excellent.
Q Some are suggesting there's a little possible sexism in the criticism of Judge Miers. How do you feel about that?
MRS. BUSH: That's possible. I think that's possible. I think she is so accomplished, and I think people are not looking at her accomplishments and not realizing that she was the first elected woman to be the head of the Texas Bar Association, for instance, and all the other things. She was the first woman managing partner of a major law firm. She was the first woman hired by a major law firm, her law firm.
THE PRESIDENT: My attitude, Matt, is when people get to know her they'll see why I picked her.
MRS. BUSH: They will. In the confirmation hearings alone they'll see that she what she's like.
Translation: It's possible that people are being sexist because they are not taking her sex into account when evaluating her credentials. ??????????
Lord love us, I don't blame Laura very much for exceeding her proper role as First Lady. I blame the President for listening to her, if that is what happened. As Truman said, "The buck stops here." It was President Bush who made the decision to listen to his wife on thisHe must take the primary responsibility.
I don't disagree with you that her conduct on the program was foolish, given the tenseness of the situation. There are times when talking up the rights of women is appropriate, and times when it is not. In this case, it was not helpful at all.
Yes, I know, she's a grown woman and can make her own decisions. But I still mainly fault Bush and his advisers for getting into this mess and for not coaching her better before she went on camera. Bush's press secretary made some far more egregious comments. They should all know better.