Bush Lays Groundwork for Miers to Back Out

[cynatnite]

As our insider source told us over the weekend, Republican senators on the Judiciary committee do not want to confirm Harriet Miers to the U.S. Supreme Court. Today, President Bush gave them their way out.

The Los Angeles Times reports that Republican senators have joined Democrats in asking for the White House "to release documents relating to" Miers' "service as White House counsel, with some warning that she might not win confirmation otherwise." One of them, Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) is a consistent Bush ally.

This afternoon, CNN notes President Bush refused the Senate request, saying "It's a red line I'm not willing to cross." Bush insisted that complying with such requests "would make it impossible for me and other presidents to be able to make sound decisions."

Now, our sources say, the White House can withdraw the nomination over principle and not out of political necessity. They may still wait to see if the circumstances change in the coming days, but they've given themselves a way to at least partially save face.

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2005/10/24/bush_lays_groundwork_for_miers_to_back_out.html

[knitter4democracy]

1. They should withdraw her.

She's obviously not anywhere near qualified. Heck, my best friend from growing up is more qualified, and she just graduated from law school.

[ChiciB1]

2. The Bets Are That He Won't... His Stubbornness & I Hate To

Lose Attitude!! He tries to win NO MATTER WHAT!! Remember THIS IS a FRAUDULENT Administration. America DIDN'T elect them!!!!

[bryant69]

4. I'd agree

It's possible; Karl Rove might force him too, but their general strategy is to never ever ever ever atmit weakness. SO I thik they won't.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Geoff R. Casavant]

3. I'm not buying it

They said the same thing with Bolton, and Roberts, and still the RWs were up on their "deserves an up or down vote" soapbox. If Bush withdraws then it's a complete loss of face.

What I'd like to see is Bush's announcement of the next one -- "I've looked far and wide and X was the second-most qualified person I could find, right behind Harriet." Wouldn't that just make X feel dandy?

[Bernardo de La Paz]

9. The difference is that the hard right is against Miers but was for Bolton.

[katty]

5. Miers interruptus - bush has no power

[triguy46]

6. Gone and forgotten by the end of the week, imho. n/t

[Spinzonner]

7. Breathing makes it impossible for him to make 'sound decisions'

[mondo joe]

8. An exit strategy from the QuagMier but not Iraq, huh? n/t