She's gone. But a loss for Bush doesn't translate into a win for us. We didn't defeat her; the religious right did. Their victory proves their continuing strength.
They sensed -- I think correctly -- that she would not have voted their way on abortion. Now Bush has no choice but to choose someone whose anti-abortion record is unassailable. In essence, the next nominee will be chosen by Dobson, Falwell and Robertson.
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The Bush administration decided Miers was poison and used the Charles Krauthammer defense, as outlined in Salon.com, i.e: they invoked executive privilege re not releasing documents on Miers and then claimed the Senators would hever give up on demanding documents, therefore Miers only option was to withdraw. And that is exactly how it worked out. But I am not convinced that the religious right's problems with Miers tipped the scales and caused the withdrawal.
I don't think the Bush administration ever wanted her in the first place. This has all been a red herring and diversion.
It hasn't worked re taking the nation's mind off the White House and the Fitzpatrick grand jury, but it has given the WH time to find someone qualified (a woman or a person of color or a woman of color who will take it on) to be a Supreme.
Joy Tomme
http://ratbangdiary.blogspot.com
Just my thought - if the Bush Administration loses both Rove and Scooter, Bush will still need Miers as an advisor. He can't afford to lose her in that capacity, or at least maybe that's what she thinks. (And dare I dream about Cheney getting anindictment? I dare! I dare!)
Besides, has there been much evidence that Miers can obfuscate or dodge questions decently? She may realize after the mess with the questionnaire that she'll be asked about certain issues at the hearings that she won't be able to duck intelligently.
Really, this isn't any great loss. Beyond what her views may or may not have been, she simply wasn't qualified.
.R.S.E.
OT: The box on the right is blocking your text.
—gmanedit
agreed. it seems a pretty transparent attempt to 'throw the scent' off the trail. and what riduculously perfect timing that harriet announces her farewell party the day before "fitzmas".
honestly, i think they were going to try and fool us a little longer with this nonsense, but too many delays in getting to the confirmation hearings would kick the supreme decision farther on down the road-- and that would mean no more republican monopoly (if the next round of elections sways the other way that is).
but maybe that's what they're banking on... to drag the process on to the point where it becomes an election item. no better way to secure those republican votes than to rally a battle cry to save the nations unborn... never mind what happens to them once they pop out into the world. the bushies don't really give a rats ass so long as the pro-"lifers" freak out enough to sway the votes in favor of the gop.
perfect timing that harriet bows out just before fitzmas. a lame attempt to get the media to focus on something other than indictments? or is it that W is seriously going to need his faithful lawyer after tomorrow?
it seems obivious that miers' qualifications as the presidents lawyer are needed more than her diluded nomination to the supreme court. george is in hot water, and he knows it. and it's about to get hotter.
another lovely tactic to consider-- mizz miers was never really meant to be confirmed at all. if the supreme decision is postponed long enough, then it becomes an election issue. ah lovely.
the sad thing is, really, that the gop is becoming so entirely predictable. it's almost pathetic to watch them squirm and writhe around in their own fantasy world.
they still think they're fooling us.
hm. actually, i disagree that this scenario was in any way a premeditated scheme on the part of bush.
first, it appears to me that actually this was a gross miscalculation, made by a highly arrogant, deluded, but deeply distracted staff.
and second, do NOT underestimate the role harry reid played in this whole matter.
much to my serious dismay at the time, harry reid claimed that he was the one who suggested miers in the first place. bush probably felt that all too unfamiliar lightbulb go off over his head and thought, wow, she's loyal like an old dog, wouldn't squeal on me, and can't if she's on the court, and gosh, she'd always rule in my favor. and to put gobs of icing on the cake, the dems would endorse her! perfect!
but what i read into reid, his role in this, and now his response, is that this whole thing was a highly calculated and premeditated scheme on HIS part! what a cagey rascal. he had to have known no one would buy her sad lack of credentials, her vague lack of position, her pathetic paucity of legal knowledge, despite all her feminist flash points. the fact that he gave his blessing in the first place likely did more to set off the religious right in the first place, and it just snowballed from there.
and now reid's response being framed as a sign the religious right is bush's puppet master; what a delicious double blow to them both!! and check out the list on americablog of the many ways in which this move completely hamstrings the repugs for their next nominee!! they can't use anything to defend their next one; it's unbelieveably deft. it reads like a 'usual suspects' setup!
this dude reid, coming from NV with some serious poker savvy. i'm pretty impressed.
I must agree with III, Reid does have a consumate poker face. I am still conflicted about his role in the party, but I really appreciate the move he pulled on Bush here.
Miers was never a serious nominee. She is way too old. There is another dynamic at work here. I would bet she was a red herring.
Don't give these people so much credit -- if it was a diversion, it was a particularly inept and misjudged one. The episode only makes Bush look like what he is -- ignorant, cavalier and self-deluded.
The Miers fiasco weakens his standing further, and makes it easier for Dems to fillibuster the next choice (assuming, of course, they have the balls for it, which is doubtful).
But as some kind of arcane strategy -- can't see it, myself. The group that "did" Iraq is more than capable of this sort of blunder. Don't invest these people with supernatural powers.
Withdrawal, shee-it.
George H.W. Bush should have practiced withdrawal almost exactly 60 years ago.
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