Posted on 10/05/2005 8:46:44 AM PDT by RightSideRedux
Coming from the tech world, I frequently use a Gartner-style Quadrant chart to map things out. Here is my very subjective attempt to identify the trends and opinions that are out there. Again, don't blame me too hard for this, it's VERY subjective click here
It seems that many of the lib Dems and Bush-bots are the only ones strongly in favor of Miers, at this point.
I think the debate over this nomination has been very interesting. There are lots of issues to wrestle with. I for one have been drawn in several different directions, as have the conservative and liberal establishments, it appears.
There is just no way to make the argument that she was the best pick and many reasons to believe that she is not only a poor choice, but intentionally so (for example, her age implies to me that she's just meant to be a "place-holder"). If Dems are smart they will smell the opportunity.
forgot sarcasm tag
It depends on the definition of "best".
Thanks for the charts...you did a great job.
Here's my problem with the Conservative Media being the most outspoken against her.
Conservative media are useful, but they are entertainers in one sense, same with journalists, they all make their money by being "bombastic." They are paid commentators and they have been wrong about Bush before. If I recall neither Coulter nor Malkin liked Roberts either, but when I heard him testify before the Senate Judicial Committee, I knew immediately why the President had chosen him.
I even remember Rush apologizing for misjudging Bush on something, but can't quite remember what that was.
I'm sticking with Bush and Cheney, plus the other "religious right" figures that seem to all support Ms. Miers. I'm still waiting how the Dems are going to play this one when the fact gets out that she's an evangelical.
"It depends on the definition of "best"."
That's what intrigues me so much about all this... by what definition of "best" was she the best pick?
A 60 year-old woman is expected to live longer than a 60 year-old man. So, Miers (age wise) is equivalent to a 53 year-old man....not much different that Roberts, who was hailed as someone to occupy the bench for year to come.
A "place holder" until the day that Hillary (bite my tongue) gets to choose her successor?
When you get to be President, you may have the privilege of deciding who is the best pick. You seem to have made up your mind rather prematurely, or maybe you are just disappointed that Bush has avoided the knock down, drag out battle that would have resulted from the nomination of a documented conservative, as opposed to a simply philosophical conservative.
"A "place holder" until the day that Hillary (bite my tongue) gets to choose her successor?"
I don't think she will be out that quickly, but I expect she will be replaced within 15 years, whichever party is in power.
The strategery of course is to confound the libs and let them diminish slowly. Despite Bush's base who wanted a show of strength to put the Dems away (i.e., renominating Bork), such an action would rally the Democratic base and give them that fund raising opportunity for 2006 and beyond. Given that opportunity they'd afain find sympathy with soccer moms and their naughty daughters. So Bush spends some capital with his base and sends in church lady Harriet knowing she's got some good people around her like Thomas, Scalia, and now Roberts. Who is Harriet going to hang with? Miss Grundy Ginsberg? I don't think so. So this puts Democrats in the position of arguing either she can't be on the court because of her religion (evangelical) or she is unqualified which means she isn't a judge and didn't go the the "right" law school. Those issues are NOT going to energize the Democrats. It's too bad those issues are energizing Republicans so.
I appreciate that finally a pro-Miers poster has attempted to actually make a case for her, but I think your case is rather far-fetched.
"Who is Harriet going to hang with? Miss Grundy Ginsberg?"
That's just an absurd argument. Have you ever heard of Stevens or Souter? Heck.. have you ever heard of O'connor or Kennedy?
"Despite Bush's base who wanted a show of strength to put the Dems away (i.e., renominating Bork), such an action would rally the Democratic base and give them that fund raising opportunity for 2006 and beyond."
Actually, I think Miers is far more likely to be "Bork"'ed than the most qualified candidates would have been. If avoiding giving Democrats fund-raising opportunities is our main political objective, why fight at all? Why not just let them choose the nominee? That way they will have no need to take over the senate.
The country-club set of the Republican party plays golf - they should learn to play poker.
Ann needs a dose of STFU. Like she could do better. Every one complains that Miers has no history and cannot predict how she will affect the court. Any pick GW made could have a life altering moment and not vote the way conservatives want.
Give the lady a break. I actually like it that she was not a judge. It irks me that people think judges are the only ones worthy to sit on the court. I'll take a fair minded, God fearing, intelligent person anyday over a judge just because he/she is a judge.
Give the President a break. Other than the border he hasn't diappointed. He does what he says. I wanted a fight as well but maybe ths is a better route in the long run. The first time a big ruling comes down that goes for the conservatives they will all be saying how great she is.
Besides GW nay get another SCOTUS pick ( Stevens isn't getting any younger ) and a just as important appointment will be Greenspan's replacement.
"The country-club set of the Republican party plays golf - they should learn to play poker."
I don't think Bush is a "country-club" Republican. I just think that maybe he's been spending too much time in Washington lately. Conservatives who spend too much time in Washington always seem to become obsessed with "consensus". They also assume that if Republican Senators and Democrat Senators agree on something, that means that Republicans and Democrats around the country must agree on it also. Sort of like the immigration issue.
You could be right. Won't it be fun to see Ted Kennedy shouting at grandma?
I know Bush is NOT a country club Republican. Consensus is indeed anoying but think Chafee, Collins, Snowe... even McCain. Unfortunately these are votes that have to be accounted for.
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