Posted on 10/06/2005 11:59:06 PM PDT by Mighty_Quinn
In an initial chat with Miers, according to several people with knowledge of the exchange, Leahy asked her to name her favorite Supreme Court justices. Miers responded with "Warren" -- which led Leahy to ask her whether she meant former Chief Justice Earl Warren, a liberal icon, or former Chief Justice Warren Burger, a conservative who voted for Roe v. Wade . Miers said she meant Warren Burger, the sources said.
A Republican member of the committee, Lindsey O. Graham (S.C.), said after meeting with Miers: "I think the hearings matter in her case probably more than others."
Graham said Miers's challenge will be to "create a comfort level" with conservatives that she shares their strict-constructionist approach to interpreting the Constitution, while convincing the public that she is not biased by her evangelical Christian faith and is qualified for the lifetime post, despite her lack of judicial experience.
Graham said he was "very impressed" by Miers and said the two had discussed her work history and how she had dealt with various types of conflict throughout her career. He described her as a "consensus builder" and a "task-oriented" person.
Brownback said his biggest concern is not knowing where she stands on "key issues of the day," such as abortion, same-sex marriage and property rights. He said that during the meeting, he brought up the Roe v. Wade decision on abortion in the context of another case, and said Miers "did not and would not" articulate a position -- presumably, the senator said, because Roe remains a "live issue" before the court.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
One: this really is her favorite. In this case, this is scary. Her FAVORITE Justice is a guy who voted for Roe?!
Two: perhaps she was answering partly in jest - Burger also had no judicial experience prior to his nomination to the Supreme Court.
Three: her first thought was Earl Warren. After all, at first she said, "Warren". It seems odd that she simply referred to Burger by his first name. If true, this would be terrifying!
Four: Giving her the benefit of the doubt, which I honestly don't know for sure if I should, it would seem she was just caught off guard. Perhaps she was trying to pick a conservative, but not send up red flags. But even if this is true shouldn't she know the court's history a little better than to be simply unprepared with a better answer. Why add fire to the flames of the conservative uproar?
Whew. This is scary stuff...
"Giving her the benefit of the doubt, which I honestly don't know for sure if I should, it would seem she was just caught off guard"
That's not actually a reassuring thought.
The one good thing about roberts during the confirmation process is that he seemed unflappable. If a simple question from a senator in an informal chat can catch her off guard, how is she going to react to the five minute questions of some blowhard senators?
Lindsay Graham's future employment as well as the gang-of-14 Republicans should be tied direct to Miers.
It's going to be a long winter. And I live in California!
What makes you think she realized Burger voted for Roe?
More anonymous sources. Not saying it couldn't be true, but you never know with the Post...
PS. Burger was on the DC Circuit Court of Appeals for over a decade before he was nominated to the Supreme Court.
Burger was actually on the DC Circuit for like 12 years before he joined the SC.
Psalm 40:4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
I say thumbs down.
that makes it even worse. why do i get the feeling Leahy could have said you mean Warren Clark who replaced Justice Brennan and she would have said yes.
Newsflash: Roe is here to stay. A mistake, surely, but it will never be overturned. You can get Atilla The Hun on the SC, Roe is here to stay.
"It's very clear, that Roe is here to stay
Not for a year but ever and a day
The radio and the telephone and the movies that we know
May just be passing fancies and in time may go
But oh, my dear, Roe is here to stay..."
Barbara Walters needs to ask Harriet what type of tree she would be if she could be a tree.:)
She was either confused or she mwant Earl Warren. She wasn't referring to Warren Burger by his first name.
She did choose him as her favorite former justice... you'd think she knew about his most fateful vote.
My personal favorite...but they will..."Get Fooled." The (insert classic "Living Colour" song here) idiots will doom us.
What makes you think the Gang of 14 has anything to do with this? Edith Clement of Louisiana would have been confirmed quite easily.
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