[Antoninus]

I truly believe Brown and Owens and Jones would have been filibustered. Does that mean don't try. I don't know. I also don't know what Bush heard back from the GOP Senators when these names were brought up. Bush can nominate, but he needs the Senators support (at least 50 of them).

For me, this is just another indication that Bush hews more toward the Rockefeller wing of the party than toward the conservative base. If he had nominated a true conservative, it would have caused a rift in the party that would have exposed the moderate/RINO wing and led, no doubt, to the defeat of some of them in 2006 if they had voted against, say, Janice Rogers Brown. Miers is a safe choice for the RINOs which forces conservatives like Rick Santorum into the position of possibly having to vote against the president.

Bush's support of Arlen Specter in 2004 was the first clue to where is heart really lies. This nomination is another. The fact that he's going to leave office in 2008 without an obvious successor is the final straw. Politically speaking, the Bush presidency may end up being an electoral disaster for Republicans when all is said and done.

[sinkspur]

What evidence do you have that Meirs is not a conservative?

Rick Santorum is not going to vote against a pro-life evangelical like Meirs. Don't kid yourself.

[sinkspur]

Politically speaking, the Bush presidency may end up being an electoral disaster for Republicans when all is said and done.

Let's see. Two presidential victories, increased numbers in the House and Senate in 2000, 2002, and 2004.

Yep. An electoral disaster for sure.

[alnick]

If he had nominated a true conservative,

You haven't a clue whether Miers is a "true" conservative. Bush knows though. He's nominated nothing but strong conservatives to the bench. There's no reason to jump to any conclusions that he's suddenly changed directions.

[AmericaUnited]

Bush's support of Arlen Specter in 2004 was the first clue to where is heart really lies. This nomination is another

No, how about THE CLUE (for clueless wonders) is all of the judicial nominess he's made so far. Can we say DUH?

[safisoft]

Politically speaking, the Bush presidency may end up being an electoral disaster for Republicans when all is said and done.

Which is why nominating Miers will be something that even his ardent supporters will regret. It was political stupidity.

[Old_Mil]

Bush's support of Arlen Specter in 2004 was the first clue to where is heart really lies. This nomination is another. The fact that he's going to leave office in 2008 without an obvious successor is the final straw. Politically speaking, the Bush presidency may end up being an electoral disaster for Republicans when all is said and done.

Bears repeating.