Bush to nominate Harriett Miers to the Supreme Court

[Bernardo de La Paz]

Bush to nominate Harriett Miers to the Supreme Court

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

October 3, 2005, 7:04 AM EDT

WASHINGTON -- President Bush has chosen White House counsel Harriett Miers for Supreme Court, administration official says.

President Bush has chosen his second nominee to the Supreme Court and will announce his pick Monday at the White House, just hours before the court begins a new term with newly sworn-in Chief Justice John Roberts at the helm, administration officials said.


http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/ny-usbush1004,0,2695312.story?coll=ny-leadnationalnews-headlines

[doxieone]

1. Harriet Myers CHOSEN BY BUSH

cnn

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

Another crony? No way!

:sarcasm:

[ray of light]

129. Great background info on her here:

http://www.democracycellproject.net/blog/archives/2005/10/share_with_us_1.html#comments

[PCIntern]

3. Great, just great...

I can't wait for all the rationalizations...the finest mind in the country...like Clarence Thomas' was to his father.

[LisaL]

5. She is a "physical person" and likes athletics.

Just like Bush. Isn't that rationalization enough?
:argh:

[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Cooley Hurd]

4. A WH press release on Harriet Miers (from November 17, 2004 ):

Harriet Miers, Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/11/20041117-15.html

President Bush Names Harriet Miers as Top Counsel




President George W. Bush today announced his intention to appoint Harriet Miers to be Counsel to the President. Ms. Miers will fill the position held by Judge Alberto Gonzales, following his confirmation by the Senate.

"Harriet Miers is a trusted adviser, on whom I have long relied for straightforward advice. Harriet has the keen judgment and discerning intellect necessary to be an outstanding Counsel. She is a talented lawyer whose great integrity, legal scholarship, and grace have long marked her as one of America's finest lawyers. I have deep respect for Harriet and look forward to her continued counsel in this new role," stated President Bush.

Ms. Miers currently serves as Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff. Most recently, she served as Assistant to the President and Staff Secretary. Prior to joining the White House staff, Ms. Miers was Co-Managing Partner at Locke Liddell & Sapp, LLP, where she helped manage an over 400-lawyer firm. Previously, she was President of Locke, Purnell, Rain & Harrell, where she worked for 26 years. In 1992, Ms. Miers became the first woman elected Texas State Bar President following her selection in 1985 as the first woman to become President of the Dallas Bar Association. She also served as a Member-At-Large on the Dallas City Council. Ms. Miers received her bachelor's degree and J.D. from Southern Methodist University.

[ClintonTyree]

14. One crony after another.........

it never occurred to the dim son that there are other people in the world outside his inner circle of political hacks and sycophants. :eyes: This guy acts as if he's loved and adored by the entire country and we'll take anything he says at face value. :banghead: I don't get it, I JUST DON'T GET IT!

[MoJoWorkin]

50. We all need to keep repeating--Mike Brown, Mike Brown.

This is the cronyism (culture) of corruption.

[AuntiBush]

175. To Cover Butt

That's my viewpoint. It's "cover butt" time. They all make me absolutely :puke:

[RaleighNCDUer]

217. it never occurred to the dim son that there are other people in the world

Sounds to me like you get it exactly.

[WePurrsevere]

18. This qualifies her to be a SCOTUS? Pffftt! What's her stance on important

ISSUES?

[ClintonTyree]

46. Issues?

Why would she even have to take a stance on issues, silly? She's a bush sycophant and a WOMAN, that makes her uniquely qualified. Issues. Boy, you really DO live in a dream world, don't you? I'm sure this was Laura's choice and Laura will be gadding around the country drumming up support for her, in front of FEMALE crowds mind you. The "old white men" club will just have to swallow this, Democrats and Republicans alike.
Issues? We don't need no stinking issues! :puke:

[AspenRose]

221. You're probably right about "Laura's choice"

both Laura and Miers went to SMU. They probably go way back.

And isn't SMU where they've chosen to have Bunnypants' Presidential Library?

Cronyism, indeed....

[ClintonTyree]

287. george bush library.....

:rofl: Now THAT'S funny! The idiot doesn't read, what could possibly be in a george bush library? :rofl: All of his important "papers" I guess plus "My Pet Goat". No, we can't forget "My Pet Goat", it will forever be ensconced in the annuls of history AND george bush's library. :rofl: I still can't get over that, there's REALLY going to be a george bush library! :rofl:

[AuntiBush]

178. What Issues? She's *'s Lawyer from TX/Gov Days

Has no experince. It's got to be to "cover *'s butt," just in case.

:puke::puke::puke::puke::puke:

[ElsewheresDaughter]

52. i hope she holds just more than a BA degree in JD?

[pokercat999]

103. Why?

Feeling a little elitist today are we?
A person doesn't need an alphabet after their name to be able to think. I heard nothing about this lady in the past. Bush picking her makes her very suspect in my mind, but the alphabet soup behind her name is the least of my worries.

I'd be happy if she had just a little common sense.

[verdalaven]

130. Wow......

I hope you were being sarcastic about the elitist comment. Education is a good thing, not an elitist thing. She doesn't have experience as a judge, shouldn't she at least have the alphabet soup thing going for her? So far, all I can see is she has the cronyism thing going for her. I don't like this nominee.

[erpowers]

165. Not Elitist

It is not elitist to ask that a person who will get a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court, which is the highest court in the United States is qualified. It is not elitist to ask that a person that will be working with the law for the rest of their life has a JD and a BA, or a BS. Nor is it elitist to ask whether a person will be a kiss ass in their job.

On a note connecting to this issue she was once a Democrat and was in charge of finding a replacement for O'Connor. Is it possible that she did the Democats a favor by appointing herself knowing that she would not be as conservative as some other Bush nominees? That way she could take the roll of O'Connor and keep some of the things that would have been voted down if someone else had been chosen. Once she is on the court she cannot be kicked off. It is possible that she will be a real moderate or will be at least a little liberal.

[nvliberal]

174. It may not be elitist, but it IS silly to think

any appointee WOULDN'T have a JD.

Miers may lack some qualifications for the high court, but she's not THAT unqualified.

[Charles19]

295. No qualifications for being a Justice of SCOTUS

"The Constitution does not explicitly establish any qualifications for Justices of the Supreme Court"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Court_of_the_United_States#Qualifications

No specific qualifications required, which is exactly the way it should be. If I was president I would want to pick whoever I thought would make the best justice regardless of what specific qualifications they had. This doesn't explicity mean I would pick some one who is a moron because then they wouldn't make a good justice.

[erpowers]

306. Law Degree

Since the Supreme Court deals with laws the person who is nominated to the Supreme Court should at least have a law degree and have experience dealing with the law.

[sunnystarr]

238. Everyone in TX used to be Dem if they're old enough

That doesn't mean a damn thing.

[dogfacedboy]

199. Do you folks who throw the "elitist" tag around even know

what that word means? If expecting the best and brightest at the Federal Government level means being "elitist", then I'll proudly call myself an elitist. Haven't we seen enough of what the good ol' boy local yokels can do to help run our government down below the level of mediocrity?! I KNOW that I'm brighter than Bush, but I am in NO WAY qualified to be the President. Contrary to common belief, it takes more than just common sense to govern effectively. It takes education (you know, "book learnin'")and experience.

[pokercat999]

239. Too bad you have no self-confidence.

I know I am fully qualified to be POTUS, lets see, male, white, born in the good olde us of a, not a Jew, thank goodness after 1865 they did away with that "slave owner" thingy....that about covers it.


Oh and by the way.....I'd give my eye teeth to have a prez with just a smidgen of common sense with or without the degree.
After some more noodling I've decided we would be much better off with someone without a degree. I mean look at what we have now......could it get worse? Best and Brightest? How could that term be applied to the dildos that now "serve" even Brownie had a degree of some sort.

Maybe I'm wrong, maybe this (the last 50 years) is the best democracy can produce, maybe it's time for a change......don't ask me what, I'm just sayn'

[dogfacedboy]

245. Maybe I didn't articulate my thought well enough.

For one thing, I have LOADS of self-confidence. What I don't have is legislative experience. Do you think Bush does? He was the gov in Texas at one time, but Texas is one of those States where the office of the gov is more ceremonial than it is in other States. I was NOT, by any means, applying the terms best and brightest to these clowns we have today. We are stuck with an abundance of less than mediocre people in DC because so many people in our nation believe that "good ol' boys" know better than everyone else. Maybe there are some who do, but that can't be a basis to vote one into office. I personally know at least 20 people who voted for Bush ONLY on the abortion issue. They would have voted for ANYONE on that issue alone. Any idiot that said what they wanted to hear. I understand that is an important issue to many, but there are many more important issues to consider when voting for a candidate if one wishes to put a quality person into office. We NEED highly educated people, who also happen to possess common sense and legislative experience, running our nation's day-to-day business. We also need more people who realize that they are there to SERVE the people, not rule the people. It's a great concept that "anyone can grow up to be President", but would you really want "just anyone" in that office?

[pokercat999]

310. Now you are talking about QUALIFIED

people. This tread was about the alphabet soup after someone's name. But to answer your argument that we need highly EDUCATED people I would use the current Congress and Administration as an example, both parties. My guess is that the entire bunch are university grads with lot and lots of that alphabet stuff floating around after their name and about 2 cents worth of common sense in the whole bunch and barely a dimes worth of difference between em. Let's face it you are wrong or how are you to explain how we are in such bad shape.

By the by, if you have ever seen my posts you are aware that I hate Bush and most if not all of the Repugs and Dinos. I always vote democrat for all the good it does.

[dogfacedboy]

315. Maybe I'm spoiled by having 2 of the BEST Sens, from my State.

Durbin and Obama. Even the R we used to have, Fitzgerald, bucked his party most of the time. It's a very common sense place, this State I live in. If you don't like Dinos, do something to help get that Lieberman character out of there. He's the first on my house cleaning list.

[philosophie_en_rose]

264. You don't think a Supreme Court Justice should be a lawyer?

trained in legal issues, with at least 3 years of education???

anti-intellectualism is just as bad as elitism.

[northzax]

202. you can get a BA in JD?

and I get a MA in Ph.D? or a BS in MBA? JD, juris doctor is a law degree.

[pokercat999]

318. Bill proved you can get a BJ in the WH.

[northzax]

321. somehow, I doubt it was Bill who proved it

or were all previous white house employees and residents celibate?

[pokercat999]

323. Poleeese....lighten up

[AspenRose]

224. No no no no, she got her BA and JD from the same school

Career: White House counsel, 2004-present; White House deputy chief of staff for policy, 2003-2004; White House staff secretary, 2001-2003; Texas Lottery Commission chairwoman, 1995-2000; attorney in private practice, Locke Liddell & Sapp in Dallas, Texas, 1972-1999; Dallas City Council member, 1989-1991
Education: Bachelor of science degree in mathematics, 1967, Southern Methodist University, Dallas; law degree, 1970, Southern Methodist University School of Law
Born: 1945 in Dallas
Family: Single, no children
Sources: White House, FindLaw, AP

[0rganism]

268. What, no horse show experience? Scandalous!

How can we expect her to judge difficult matters of legal precedent if she has not proven herself capable of judging thoroughbred Arabian horses?

[Maat]

233. The JD is the doctorate in law we all have to secure ..

the Juris Doctor (84-88 units, typically) - 3-4 years of study - AFTER a Bachelor's.

[Politicub]

121. My eyes!

Judging by her pic, she looks like someone who would put her cigarette out in your eye.

[Pachamama]

269. She looks like Lynne Cheney....

:puke:

Separated at Birth? The even more evil twin or just as evil? :eyes:

[mountainvue]

139. The woman looks evil. n/t

[femrap]

283. She rather resembles W....

maybe she is the illegitimate daughter of George the First? They're half-brother and sister.

I would like to know about Harriet's family....her mother and father. Anyone got info on that? She seems to be a 'man pleasing Queen Bee' but I would need to know more about her childhood.

[maddezmom]

6. new headline: Bush Chooses Miers for Supreme Court

By DEB RIECHMANN, Associated Press Writer
1 minute ago



WASHINGTON - President Bush has chosen his second nominee to the Supreme Court and will announce his pick Monday at the White House, just hours before the court begins a new term with newly sworn-in Chief Justice John Roberts at the helm.

The president will announce his choice to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor at 8 a.m. EDT in the Oval Office, a senior administration official said.

~snip~

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051003/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_scotus;_

[bluestateguy]

7. So what

I'm going to bed now. I have to be at work in 10 hours.

[maddezmom]

8. hope you sleep well

:hi:

[doxieone]

9. BBREAKING: Bush to announce Supreme Court TODAY at 8:00 A.M

Okay the guys at DU deleted my first entry and sent it to la-la land.

I will post it again.

8:00 a.m. announcement from Bush. Mentioned on CNN twice. No link.

[The Backlash Cometh]

10. No time to waste since his capital is spent. n/t

[Starbucks Anarchist]

11. Link up now:

http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/10/03/scotus.preview/index.html

[Fenris]

12. Great, he nominates his personal lawyer

Who has no judicial experience. The last justice without any prior bench service was Rehnquist.

[pokercat999]

106. I'm at the point of, "why care"?

We allow a war criminal to wear the mantel of "Commander in chief", POTUS and the "leader of the free world" and we worry about this?

We are way past anything short of a complete revolution.

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

119. True. nt.

[unpossibles]

152. a few reasons

1 - the Supreme Court is for life

2 - as evidenced by 2000, the Supreme Court can determine the result of an "election"

3 - the last of what little checks and balances we had left are gone soon. Right Wing Fundie White House, Senate, Congress, Supreme Court - why would they care what the rest of us want/think?

[Pachamama]

270. Couldn't this be seen as a "conflict of interest" that the POTUSs personal

attorney would sit on the Supreme Court? :shrug:

I mean, does this entitle her to have "attorney-client priveledge" re. any subject related to GW or any "discussions" on topics such as say TORTURE, ENEMY COMBATANTS, VALERIE PLAME etc. etc.?

Just wondering....it stinks to high hell in my opinion and I don't care that she is a "Woman"....

This nomination is nauseating....possibly more so than Roberts....

[IndianaGreen]

131. Miers is a Bush crony, just as Brownie was at FEMA

Do we want another Bush crony without any substantive experience on a critical position such as SCOTUS?

Absolutely NOT!

Any Democrat that votes for this woman should be driven out of the party!

[Moderate Dem]

265. I've got a better idea...

How about we try to win an ELECTION once in awhile?

[deminks]

13. No record on the issues.

Again.



White House Counsel Harriet Miers talks with White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card, left, on the South Lawn of the White House before depart to attend the 52nd annual Red Mass at St. Matthew's Cathedral, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2005 in Washington. Miers has come up as a potential candidate for nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Bush on Sunday declined to say whether he had decided on a nominee. Chief of Staff Andy Card said the president was 'still working' on making his decision, 'still considering lots of options.' (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

http://news.yahoo.com/photos/ss/events/pl/120503supremecourt/im:/051002/480/dcpm10610021659

[ClintonTyree]

17. Another blank slate.......

that the neo-cons can write anything they wish upon it. Another Reich-wing automaton that will do as it's programmed to do. Wonderful. :puke:

[Blaq Dem]

43. What are they hiding?????

See?? The Bush Cult don't want America to know the real deal of these nominees. They don't want the world to know how truly vile and disgusting they really are.

And we're not supposed to ask any questions???

[Hissyspit]

141. Their modus operandi. Come in under the moral & ideological radar...

In everything they do. Americans have been fools. And we will be paying the price for quite some time.

[shanti]

196. ewwwww

my eyes!!!!! she looks like the wicked witch in the wizard of oz. :eyes:

[Fridays Child]

15. Oh, great. Look at this observation, from David Frum's Diary...

"In the White House that hero worshipped the president, Miers was distinguished by the intensity of her zeal: She once told me that the president was the most brilliant man she had ever met."

http://frum.nationalreview.com/archives/09292005.asp#077899

Now what kind of cretin or sycophant would say a thing like that?

[rpannier]

24. Sounds to me like she hasn't met too many people

if scrubbo is the most brilliant man she ever met.

[ClintonTyree]

35. Or is the poorest judge of character ever..........

both of which should disqualify her immediately. Another Slug ideologue that sees nothing outside of the prescribed and tolerated Con viewpoint. Another horse with blinders on.

[progressivebydesign]

208. You have to wonder about these women that hang on the Bush men like that.

She looks positively doe-eyed with around George... probably not his type, but perhaps Daddy's type.

[ComerPerro]

83. LOL

[NJCher]

114. well, look at this limited experience

from CNN story:

Miers, who has never been a judge, was the first woman to serve as president of the Texas State Bar and the Dallas Bar Association. She also served on the Dallas City Council.

What a joke. This person is about as qualified for her job as bush is for his.

I'm with the poster who says nothing short of a revolution will straighten this mess out.




Cher

[Tesha]

26. One who wants to be nominated to the Supreme Court someday?

> Now what kind of cretin or sycophant would say a thing like that?

One who wants to be nominated to the Supreme Court someday?

Tesha

[Douglas Carpenter]

37. When the National Review is put off by her hero worship of Bush

you know something is wrong---:cry:

[mtnester]

65. Most Brilliant man I ever met?...jeez, that makes her STUPID too

that in itself is enough to eliminate her.

Now, Dem representatives and senators. You WILL say no to this one. She has absolutely NO experience, and it not even CLOSE to being qualified for the job. Her resume is short on experience. Forget asking her about her position (you won't get any answers anyway), go after her because she does not have any experience dammit! This one they better fight.

[ikojo]

79. Don't count on Dems fighting this one

She's a woman and thus in the politically correct world..is given a free pass.

[mtnester]

123. I hear ya, however, I am still allowed to dream of a day

that our Dems get a spine and actually live the opposition party life.

Sigh.

[ikojo]

143. As long as the "handlers" in DC and in the media

advise them to play to the mushy middle the Democrats will remain a minority party. Americans, well the working class ones I know, want a party that will STAND UP for what they believe. That's why, although most people do not agree with Bush on the issues, Republicans carry the day because they are not afraid to say what they mean.

[Zhade]

284. Of course, we were assured the NEXT one after Roberts would be fought.

And many warned about the fascists playing the race or gender card after Roberts, to make Dems look worse if they oppose.

So, of course, the Dems will let slide another unqualified zealot, and "keep their powder dry" for the next fight...where it will not be used, but saved for the NEXT fight...where it will not be used but saved...ad infinitum.

They're FUCKING PLAYING US!

[nvliberal]

176. Not so much stupid as

she's a world-class asskisser to say something so obviously off-the-wall.

[Julius Civitatus]

226. Exactly! And the worst part is that it PAID OFF for her

Years of relentless ass-kissing and chimp adoration is finally paying off for good ol' Harriet. She's going all the way to the SCOTUS!!!

Pure fidelity to the Bush family omerta brings some benefits, apparently.

[Puglover]

243. Totally agree...

I wonder if the Dems will cavve on this latest Bush lackey. "Most brilliant man" indeed. What a fuckin tool.

[shanti]

80. now, THAT

is truly nauseating! :puke: a sycophant, indeed!

[CoolOnion]

108. And she wants to be a judge?

She can't even tell that Bush is an idiot, with a possible "dry drunk" problem? I don't trust her judgement!

[LibDemAlways]

197. If she actually said that the chimp was

the most brilliant man she had ever met, then she's delusional and should be seeking help from a competent mental health professional. She has no business on the Supreme or any other court.

[smb]

198. Only One Explanation

She once told me that the president was the most brilliant man she had ever met."
Welcome to America. I trust you enjoyed your flight from Paradise Island.

[SharonRB]

212. I heard that this morning and almost lost my breakfast

Anyone who thinks he's the most brilliant man she had ever met is either insane, has never met another man, or is being blackmailed by him.

[MiniMe]

16. Has she ever even been a judge before?

Reading her bio on CNN under potential nominees, they mention how loyal she is to Bush, and that she is serving in the White House now, but they don't mention that she has ever been a judge. I know that isn't a pre-requisite according to the law to become a Supreme Court Judge, but I would consider that judicial experience to be crucial. Wonder what the dems will do on this one?

[PDittie]

19. No she hasn't

Dodging questions won't be acceptable in this case.

Start contacting your Senators, THIS MORNING.

[4dsc]

20. She's nothing more than a pawn

another bad Rove choice..

[Benhurst]

67. No, she's much more than a pawn. She's

a damn good ass-kisser, as well.

The Republic may not be dead; but its vital signs are weakening.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

23. Nope....

Maybe at a horse show?

[Tesha]

29. Same thing they always do: Roll over and beg for a cookie. (NT)

[ikojo]

88. They will say...she is not extreme enough to invoke

a filibuster. We will filibuster the "next" Bush nominee..knowing full well that Bush would not nominate someone who did not meet with the approval of the American Taliban

[serryjw]

277. ......NOT even in Traffic Court

I would accept a Constitutional Law Professor from Harvard/Yale before this.

[Kolesar]

21. I expected a right-winger for *bush to use to fire up his base for 2006

With *'s popularity having crashed, I would expect the gop base would stay home. * needs a fight to wake them up and get them to vote in 2006. He will piss off the world, but it may enable him to win a few close Congressional races and that is the best he can hope for. (This is akin to him sending Bolton to the U.N.).

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

22. Supremely Unqualified

This person has never so much as rendered a verdict in small claims court, much less interpreted the constitution. And it appears that for most of the past decade, she rarely found herself inside a courtroom at all. After the fiasco of appointing Mike Brown to FEMA, you would think that the Bush Administration would have discovered the limits of cronyism. Apparently not.

[onenote]

66. Judicial experience not required -- lots of examples

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1822750#1822876

[trogdor]

90. Derek Jeter could be on the Supreme Court.

The Constitution pretty much states that anyone who gets through the Senate confirmation process can sit there.

[Pab Sungenis]

159. "Could" and "Should" are two different things.

When was the last time someone who wasn't at least a municipal judge was nominated to the Supreme Court? I'd have to go back to Eisenhower's nomination of Earl Warren.

[patcox2]

154. Absolutely disagree. Judicial experience is not necessary.

The traditional career path to supreme court justice is to be a lifelong political hack, get appointed to the DC Circuit court of appeals for just long enough to pad the resume with "judicial experience," and then be appointed to the court. Thats how it happened for Roberts, Scalia, Thomas. 2 or 3 years on the DC Circuit is meaningless, and to me is a sign of "hack-dom."

She seems a zealot for Bush, but she contributed to Lloyd Bentson, too.

She has real world private practice experience that most judicial appointees are sadlay lacking.

As someone who appears before trial and appellate judges on a regular basis, I would take the one with her resume' over the typical political career any day.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

179. Practice Experience as a corporate stooge

Not once in her professional life has she been tasked with listening dispassionately to both sides of an issue.

And as far as being a "political hack" goes, she's spent the last four years working in the Bush White House.

[cosmicdot]

300. "she contributed to Lloyd Bentsen, too"

Lloyd Bentsen is one of the Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce's Honorary Council of Advisors along with Henry Kissinger, James Baker, Zbigniew Brezezinski, Brent Scowcroft, John Sununu ... the Caspian Sea oil basin organization, also, affiliated with Dick Cheney, Richard Armitage, Richard Perle, and Sam Brownback ...

I'm not surprised that she did contribute to Lloyd Bentsen.

Knowing that is actually quite revealing.

Thanks for sharing it.

[ClintonTyree]

25. Now we'll see our Democratic leadership.......

swing into action, as they promised. They'll ruthlessly interrogate this obviously under-qualified nominee and stick to their guns invoking the filibuster they they so honorably protected last year. Or not.
I expect another split Party vote with half of the Democrats rubber stamping bush's choice, as always. Nothing to see here, everything;s just fine, don't worry about a thing. I'm sure she'll be fair and there's no reason to waste a filibuster on someone like this. They'll wait for the REALLY BIG fight that is sure to come along sometime in the next 3 years. :eyes:
Business as usual in the Democratic Party.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

27. So, we get a person who thinks

bush* is the most brilliant man she had ever met.

She has no experience as a judge and other than her worship of bush* I can find very little on her.

[chelsea0011]

120. That could be the Dems first question. "Please explain why you

believe Bush is brilliant and give examples. Also, what is your pet name Bush has given you".

[Flirtus]

235. Most Important Questions!!

Congrats on your acumen! Straight to the heart of the matter! "Please prove your loyalty to the * by stating your nickname."

[GinaMaria]

303. More specifically

He wants to place someone that will personally protect his interests not the interests of the American People. The bushies hope to effect policy long after their reign ends, I think.

[0007]

28. Hmmmm...... another type of person like Brownie?

[delhurgo]

31. She donated to democrats in the past, including Al Gore.

If its the same Harriet Miers. I assume it has to be. The Freepers are flipping out over this. They don't like her at all lol.

MIERS, HARRIET E MS
DALLAS, TX 75229
DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE (D) $1,000
primary 11/03/88

MIERS, HARRIET E
DALLAS, TX 75219
LOCKE PURNELL RAIN HARRELL
LOCKE PURNELL RAIN HARRELL FEDERAL POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $630
primary 02/16/88

MIERS, HARRIET E MS
DALLAS, TX 75219
LOCKE PURNELL RAIN HARRELL GORE, AL (D)
President
ALBERT GORE JR FOR PRESIDENT COMMITTEE INC $1,000
primary 02/16/88

MIERS, HARRIET E MRS
DALLAS, TX 75201
LOCKE PURNELL ETAL BENTSEN, LLOYD SENATOR (D)
Senate - DC
SENATOR LLOYD BENTSEN ELECTION COMMITTEE

[BOHICA06]

33. Of course ... if you want to do business in Texas

you better contribute to the Party in power. Smart move.

[delhurgo]

36. How is contributing to Al Gore for Pres in '88

contributing to the party in power?

[BOHICA06]

39. The Dems had control of Texas in '88

with a throw away contribution - she and her firm could get invites to fund raisers and other events where real business takes place.

An to contribute to Gore vs that "Yankee" Dukakis is good politics in Texas.

[delhurgo]

45. Thats true.

Its sure making the Freepers mad though LOL.

[Connie_Corleone]

34. That seems weird. Sure it's the same person??

[ClintonTyree]

38. That's a sure sign of the impending apocalypse.........

freepers and DUers agreeing on something. Maybe there IS something to this "end of times" bullshit? :shrug:

[Kolesar]

47. I love the way data just comes "boiling" out of DU

I heard about Miers on NPR/Mourning Edition, check for a thread here, and, viola', opposition research!

[ElsewheresDaughter]

55. so she gave !K to dems ...how many k's did she contribute to the repukes?.

anybody?

[high density]

163. "Bush Loyalist Gets High Court Nod"

(CBS/AP) ...
Once described by White House chief of staff Andrew Card as "one of the favorite people in the White House," Miers has been there for President Bush at every turn for more than a decade.
...
Card, in a 2003 interview with the publication Texas Lawyer, said Mr. Bush's affinity for Miers is clear in the frequent invitations she receives to visit the presidential retreat at Camp David, "a privilege that is not enjoyed by a lot of staff."
...
Intensely loyal, Miers is happy to stay off the radar screen as long as her boss is happy, on the thinking that White House counsels only make news when there's been a mistake.
...
Miers reveals little of her own emotions or ideological persuasions, but has been an enthusiastic supporter of the Bush administration on a broad of initiatives including tax cuts, Social Security reforms, restrictions on federal spending on embryonic stem cell research, national security, education reforms and fighting terrorism.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/10/03/supremecourt/main897953.shtml

[progressivebydesign]

209. Does Laura know about those frequent trips to Camp David? n/t

[erpowers]

200. Same Person

This is the same Harriet Miers who contributed to the Democrats; however, she is not longer a Democrat.

[charlottelouise]

263. On state level, a bit different

$10,000 for * for the 1998 Texas governor's race, per Texas Monthly, September 1998 (I found this on Lexus; the on-line version required registration). Does the state of Texas have a searchable database for contributions?

[BOHICA06]

32. Directed right at the heart of the 20%

that isn't already decided on 2006 - 2008. A thorough exam will be respected, a knee jerk hatchet job may alienated single professional women and others that can't see the reason for a balls-to-the-wall attack.

Need real ammo to knock down this one without creating a campaign issue.

[ClintonTyree]

42. Correct......

it has nothing to do with her qualifications, even her politics. It's designed totally to drive a wedge between middle of the road voters who see the Cons as the "old white men" party and the Democrats who are the "big umbrella" party. Why would the Democrats object to a woman for the Supreme Court? Are the Democrats saying that just because she's a woman she's not qualified? And the pea-brained voters will eat it up with a spoon, just like they're supposed to.
A purely political move that will ensure the Democrats caving in once again. I give up, really. I give the fuck up!

[shanti]

84. it's worked before....

:-(

[Olney Blue]

40. No judicial paper trail....

a White House insider, calls Bush "brilliant"...

Wouldn't even pass being a West Wing script.....

[Kber]

41. I suppose she may be a nice person, but she isn't QUALIFIED

I mean, the only thing missing from her resume is a stint at the Arabian Horse Association.

It shows Bush's utter disregard and disrespect for the Supreme Court, IMO.

But hey - she did have a spot on the lotto commission.

Sheesh.

[MadisonProgressive]

94. It shows Bush's utter disregard and disrespect for America, IMO

[Straight Shooter]

111. If she had a spot on the lotto commission, it means she approves gambling.

Isn't that *cough* sinful in the morality structure of the fundies?

[dbt]

44. ANOTHER Reptile.

Washingtoon is fairly crawling with Lizards these days!

:evilgrin:
dbt
Remember New Orleans

[Bernardo de La Paz]

48. She is a Fawning Sycophant.

[ReadTomPaine]

117. So it would appear. I'm curious as to why Reid backed/suggested her.

[onenote]

49. why I thought it would be Miers -- post from last week

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1810042#1810063

onenote

[Laura PourMeADrink]

56. Hey ON ! Good Prediction ! You were right ! Thanks for the bio.

To me, this is unfuckinbelievable. No SC litigation, never been a judge !!

P.S. I thought there was something about is it 'conflict of interest' or 'separation of executive and judiciary' that makes a WH counsel not a good choice.

[onenote]

63. a lot of posts here lack historical perspective

There are a lot of posts here expressing outrage with Chimpy's latest Supreme Court nominee because (a) she has never been a judge and (b) is a "crony".

But historically, neither of those facts is unusual. Many justices, including some of the greatest justices, were political "cronies" of the president and had no prior judicial experience.

Among them:
William O. Douglas (FDR) -- law professor and appointee to the Securities and Exchange Commission

Earl Warren (Eisenhower) former Governor of California widely acknowledged to have been nominated as a reward for helping Ike win election

Byron White (JFK)-- Deputy AG, political pal of JFK

Tom Clark (Truman) -- Attorney General

Arthur Goldberg (JFK) -- General Counsel of AFL-CIO/Secretary of Labor

So let's find a real reason for challenging this nomination, not reasons that are so easily rebutted as to actually hurt our cause.

onenote

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

86. Nearly all were law professors or AG's...

Bush's pick has no experience aside from being a private practice lawyer. What's more, FDR, Truman, Ike, and JFK were presidents who could make decisions based on what's best for the country (it was the conservative Eisenhower who elevated the liberal Warren to the Court). Bush has proven again and again that his White House cannot make decisions that are in the best interest of the nation; and they have proven again and again the political cronyism and fund-raising ability are the key factor when making appointments.

Beat 'em with an ugly stick, says I.

[onenote]

92. Lewis Powell -- private practice

Deputy AG? -- Byron White
Arthur Goldberg -- AFL-CIO General Counsel/Secretary of Labor
Fred Vinson -- member of Congress

and William O Douglas taught bankruptcy and commercial litigation -- he wasn't a Constitutional scholar

She gets 90 plus votes unless there is a skeleton in her closet. Done.

onenote

[The Stranger]

124. Not so fast, my friend.

The FEMA cronyism is still fresh on the minds of many, and even NPR dared raise it, albeit in an apologizing tone.

Nearly all of the justices have some experience in public service, which is why the Republicans (Bush and Tom Phillips, interviewed on NPR) have raised two things:

1. Her Bar Service (Dallas Bar and Texas Bar); and
2. Powell (who had no public service experience).

Their talking points can be teased out with enough thought. That is where they think they are vulnerable -- her lack of public service.

[onenote]

127. she served on a city council and on a government commission

Not the most stellar record, but hardly one lacking in "public service"

Cronyism won't stick.

onenote

[The Stranger]

140. Exactly -- city council of Dallas.

Isn't city council a part-time position?

This helps cronyism stick.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

171. Cronyism will stick like glue...

And being a member of the Dallas City Council is hardly a prerequisite for serving on the Supreme Court.

[ClintonTyree]

125. I'm sure glad the Democrats "saved" the filibuster........

for bush's next pick and didn't waste it on Roberts. Whew, that was a close one! :sarcasm:

[Name removed]

170. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[niallmac]

112. Good points.

I did not realize Earl Warren was nominated as a result of his political assistance to Ike. Seems ironic somehow considering Earl Warren became the boogy man of the right.

I guess I will take this day by day and see what more can be learned about Ms. Miers.
Do you think if any of the folks you cite were alive to day and knew Bush they would
say he was one of the 'most brilliant men' they have ever known? That would be a good first test case issue for Ms Miers to support. It she can defend that statement then SHE's GOOD!

[DrZeeLit]

64. Not married and doesn't have children... mmm that's interesting, plus

no judicial experience, which means no decision threads to follow.

Exactly what Rove wanted: a "friend" from Texas who couldn't be hounded during the confirmation process, and would have to recuse herself if any cases regarding the * admin came in front of the court... i.e., Plamegate, Delaygate, Memogate... etc.

[never_get_over_it]

156. Why is her not being married and not having children interesting?

oh I guess she must be a lesbian - man I'm not married never have been and don't have children and I always thought I was a hetrosexual - imagine my surprise!

[nvliberal]

181. Same here.

And yet, John Roberts, who is married and adopted a couple of kids, is considered gay.

I've heard similar shit about David Souter (who's never married) and Anthony Kennedy (who is).

Geez Louise, what the HELL is the criteria for somebody being gay, for crissake?

In Miers case, being a lifelong single woman in a male-dominated profession isn't unusual in her generation, by the way (she's 60).

[DrZeeLit]

210. Geez, that's putting a lot of words in my mouth that weren't there.

I just said that's interesting.
Period.

Get a grip.

[belle]

220. Makes me think she's another Condi, who luurrrrvves Bush...maybe.

[progressivebydesign]

261. I don't they meant she was gay.. It was more her unnatural interest in Geo

That was my take. Another single woman who is gaa gaa over Bush and gets chosen for a special spot.

[ClintonTyree]

289. You forgot one qualifier in your post.....

"Another BUTT UGLY single woman who is gaa gaa over bush and gets chosen for a special spot". Butt ugly, you forgot butt ugly. george attracts them like a maggot....er.....magnet! He's lucky Laura felt sorry for him and married him. She's not gorgeous and has terrible fashion sense but she's no Condi or Harriet either. Harriet? Who would name their child "Harriet"? Gawd, what a terrible name. Her folks must have been big Ozzie and Harriet fans and lord knows, every Mother wants their little girl to grow up to be Harriet Nelson! :eyes:

[ClintonTyree]

122. Not married and doesn't have children...........

in Republican think that would make her a Lesbian since a woman's job is to marry, stay in the home, procreate and tend to the family unit. My god, a Lesbian on the Supreme Court? :wow: :sarcasm:

[vanboggie]

51. Bush lawyer and supreme justice?

An oxymorAn if I ever saw one.

[oioioi]

311. boom boom

very droll

[alarcojon]

53. Culture of Corruption and Cronyism

say it over and over and over.

and over.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

54. Was she wearing a Square Dance outfit ? Ah Yayh Ah Yayh n/t

[FourStarDemocrat]

57. Greg Palast has some goods on her from a 2001 article..

About a Texas State Lottery scandal.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/bush/story/0,7369,425737,00.html

excerpt:

How appropriate that the Lottery Commission confirmed the Camelot-Gtech group's new licence a week after Al Gore conceded his victory to George W. Bush. So who was the real winner of the presidential contest? Some might say Bill Gates. One of Dubya's first appointments was of the key Secretary for White House Matters: attorney Harriet Miers, the US lottery commissioner who dealt with Gtech's contract.

'Harriet was always flying to Seattle ', says Lawrence Littwin, the Texas Lottery director Miers fired in 1997. That's no surprise, as her law firm represented Gates at the time. Miers will, of course, have to give up her interest in the law practice while working for the White House.

[FourStarDemocrat]

70. More info on Texas State Lottery Scandal (involves TANG issue):

Miers, Harriett:

Miers is a Dallas-based lawyer and chairwoman of the Texas Lottery Commission. The former president of the State Bar of Texas and Dallas City Council member has done legal work for Bush and his political committee. As chair of the lottery commission, Miers came under fire when former commission executive director Lawrence Littwin sued the state's lottery operator, GTECH, for allegedly pressuring Miers to fire Littwin. Littwin and his attorneys have suggested throughout the proceedings that GTECH was allowed to keep its state lottery contract in exchange for former Texas Lt. Gov. Ben Barnes' silence. Barnes, a former GTECH lobbyist, stated under oath that he helped George W. Bush enlist in the Texas Air National Guard as an alternative to going to Vietnam 31 years ago.


http://64.233.161.104/searchq=cache:AXe1UFdCJKAJ:www.publicintegrity.org/report.aspx%3Faid%3D231+Harriett+Miers&hl=en

[Roland99]

116. Bad link...use this:

http://www.publicintegrity.org/report.aspx?aid=231

[cantstandbush]

58. She should be easy to vote down. My theory about this.

This is a throw-away nomination to give some cover to Republicans running in 2006. This woman is not fit to be on the court and everyone knows it. The Dems will automatically vote against her. But this gives a few "coat-tail" Republicans an opportunity to distance themselves from Bush's failed Presidency by allowing them to vote against this nominee. It should be very easy for the Dems to be united against this woman. And remember, no matter what you hear the Republicans say, they know she is not fit to be a nominee. Once she is voted down, Bush will name someone who has the credentials and who the administration thinks the Dem won't vote against after voting against Meiers (sp). It's just so "Rovian" if this is the nominee.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

60. I think you may be correct, she is a diversion...

can't be otherwise. They are trying to divert us from the important issues - Rove/Plame, Delay, etc.

[onenote]

68. I don't see anything that would make her "easy" to vote down

The Dems can't go after her based on her "qualifications" -- the historical record is replete with examples of Supreme Court nominees without prior judicial experience, including lots of justices appointed by Democrats (Byron White, Arthur Goldberg, Tom Clark, William O. Douglas) to name a few. If the Dems go after her based on her "lack of experience" they will open themselves up to the charge that nominees who are female are being held to a different standard.

Unless Miers has some skeletons in her closet that freak out the freepers, she's gonna sail through with even more votes than Roberts...

onenote

[cantstandbush]

87. Times have changed. You don't have to vote for a woman because

she is a woman. Dems should have no fear of being as hypocritcal as the Republicans. The Republicans always are talking about 'affirmative action' for "unqualified" minorities. Well this seems to me to be an affirmative action nomination of someone who does not have good credentials for being on the SCOTUS.

[onenote]

89. what credientials does she lack?

Are Dems going to argue that Clark, Warren, Douglas, White, Goldberg were all unqualified?

Don't think so...

onenote

[cantstandbush]

205. They don't have to argue the point. This in NOW, not THEN.

They were unqualified and some didn't do the job.

[Stand and Fight]

133. Times may have changed, but the American people have not.

Any who dare oppose this nominee -- regardless of the fact that she is NOT at all qualified -- will be denounced. The Republicans have the Media that will parrot anything that they say endlessly if Democrats oppose this nominee. There is nothing in her record that prohibits her from being an Associate Justice, and according to the Constitution, she meets the necessary -- though lax -- requirements. The American people will buy into this bullshit theory, and therefore another Bush crony gets placed on the court. Look to see her around for another 10 to 40 years...

[cantstandbush]

204. She, like Clarence Thomas, is not a choice of the "best" or "excellence"

The age of cronyism must stop now!

[Broken_Hero]

280. you know, i agree

with your whole post. If there are NO skeletons in her closet she will get a whole vote, if roberts can get on as Chief Justice, than this will be a cake walk...sorry, i'm so negative, but if we can't get our dems to unify against the roberts nomination, why should we expect them to stop this Harriet woman?

[libertarian_democrat]

313. Yep, but I think there's another very devious strategy here, too.

These guys are clever in a diabolical way.

Ann Coulter came out strongly against Roberts AND Meir. I heard Laura Ingram ripping into Meir. Other rightwingers are really expressing outrage, too.

I think they're triangulating. W knows her well. He knows she's a rightwinger. Rove has instructed the loons to come out against her so she'll seem "moderate."

Can't you hear it? "She was opposed by the extreme right AND left. She must be fine!"

And it'll work too!

[Caution]

105. Clearly a diversion. She gets voted down, Dems are "obstructionists"

than an idealogue is nominated and shoved down our throats.

[Stand and Fight]

135. Unfortunately you are right... n/t

[tranche]

240. This is what I was thinking.... n/t

[Stand and Fight]

128. Absolutely wrong.

She WILL be confirmed for all the opposite reasons of what you listed. The Republicans know that the Democrats in Congress are horrible as an opposition party. They are simply not viable when they are blocked into a corner -- somewhat like a bruised and battered spouse. That is precisely what is going to happen this time around, because the Republicans (Bush & Karl Rove) know that Democrats don't want the label of "being against her because she's a woman." They know Democrats in Congress will roll over on this one, and that there will be but a few brave -- but wholly insignificant -- opposition votes. Boxer, Kennedy... Who knows, but in the end, mark my words, Miers will be confirmed as the next Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.

[malmapus]

150. I think you may be correct too in that analysis.

It actually makes sense.

[dusty64]

59. Another unqualified

partisan hack and * crony. They will once again refuse to turn over any documents about her. The question is, will they get away with this yet again. I fear the Democrats will once again snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and fail to stand up for the People. When the full effects of this rovebot on the court reverberate through society it could mean the implosion of both political parties.

[tabasco]

61. NBC Today Show just reported that Miers once said ...

George W. Bush was one of the most brilliant men she had ever met.

:rofl:

Another unqualified toadie.

[niallmac]

100. You'll never believe what my computer just did.

It scrambled up your response to read
"George W. Bush was one of the most brilliant men she had ever met." Ha ha. I have a Mac too. It never has acted up like that before.
Sort of like Mad Libs on the internets I guess.

[Stockholm]

62. She used to be *s personal laywer - nuff said!

[abluegirl]

69. Exodus Ministries

One of the things that was mentioned during the speech was her work with Exodus Ministries. Please tell me this isn't the same Exodus Ministries that claim to cure gays.

[QC]

71. It's a group for former prisoners. n/t

[abluegirl]

72. Thanks for clearing that up

[Megahurtz]

305. Oh No!

:( That's bad.

[ourbluenation]

73. check out her political contributions...scroll down to the bottom

http://www.newsmeat.com/washington_political_donations/Harriet_Miers.php

[AuntiBush]

162. In the Late 1980's; Since then, She's all Repuk

Start at the bottom (86-87) Democrat(s), then work you're way back-up the list. She's (R) all the way and for *.

Does anyone else see this fast-track Sunday nite decision, coupled with the fact she's *'s lawyer from TX (way back when he was Gov.) as a majorly cover thine butt decision?

It's "cover they're butts, time." And again, I feel like a good :puke:

[Scooter24]

74. We don't know much about her...

however, considering the circumstances, we all should be counting our blessings that we didn't get someone like Janice Rogers-Brown or Michael Lutig as a nominee.

Freepnuts are going crazy over this nominee. Obviously they see something in her that worries them. We shouldn't be quick to discredit this one because she might be the best choice we will have.

[RaleighNCDUer]

225. "Obviously they see something in her that worries them."

And this should concern us because we know them to be such level-headed, clear thinking people.

C'mon. These are the people I've seen saying they have misgivings about * because he is too liberal.

[peaches2003]

75. Harry Reid, # 1 traitor

Now it comes out that HARRY REID suggested her name. How the hell are the Democrats going to object when our own Senate 'leader' told Bush she would be a good pick???????!!!!!!!

And why does a Dem help Bush out?

[gorekerrydreamticket]

91. WTF?? n/t

[ReadTomPaine]

107. Disappointing, but perhaps Reid has a reason for this.

Reid's been very sharp with some of his strategizing in the past. Then again, would anyone here really be surprised by a roll-over from congressional Dems yet again?

Perhaps he's selecting his enemy <shrug> we'll see soon.

[lumberjack_jeff]

214. It's a surprise.

The fact that she's a lawyer for this administration is a big red flag. I have a hard time reconciling the idea of a lawyer with any personal ethics choosing that career.

"Ethical Bush counsel" is an oxymoron.

It's hard to imagine that Reid is hoping that this choice is analagous to Ike's choice of Warren. He knows her. I doubt that Bush will be surprised by anything she does. Reid is more likely to be surprised.

In that sense, she's a wrapped package in which you can hear faint ticking. Personally, I would be very hesitant to open any surprise package Bush gave me.

However, perhaps Reid is wisely choosing his battles. Avoiding a big confirmation fight that we have little chance of winning, except in the most eggregious circumstances ("today, I'm a-gonna nominate Ted... Ted Hitler!") may allow Democrats to remain on the productive topics of cronyism, DeLay, the Fitzgerald investigation and Iraq.

[renaissanceguy]

250. "Wisely choosing his battles"

Yeah, right.... We've been hearing this excuse over so many votes... Gonzales, Condi, Roberts, and now this. I have news for you: the Dems have NO GODDAMN BACKBONE. They will NEVER fight. Don't kid yourself, and stop making excuses for them.

[lumberjack_jeff]

286. Because the party has yet to pick any battles isn't a good reason...

to pick every battle.

I'd prefer a scorched earth tactic to the current approach too, but the GUMS (great unwashed masses) don't have the attention span to deal with 10 world-changing issues simultaneously. There is no traction to be had in opposing a woman with no established judicial record.

Unless she's found to have participated in Plame discussions, or helped draft torture justifications, or been involved illegally with TRMPAC, or served as the designated runner to the White House liquor store, then she'll win.

In some ways, an unknown quantity may be the best we can hope for. Sadly, from Bush's perspective, I doubt that she's all that unknown.

We knew that we were in for a f'd up ride on the day he was re-selected. We should use his shitty decisions to beat the crap out of republicans for the next generation. Until then, we're mostly stuck with his shitty decisions.

[mvd]

291. I'm ready for battle.

Whining about it to the people looks like empty rhetoric. At least TRY to do something about it. If she has an "originalist" philosophy, that's more to start on than there was for Roberts.

[belle]

222. mebbe 'cause he, too, figured she's the "least worst" among Luttigs and

Janice Roger Browns.

after all, they can veto and even filibuster, but it's not as though they can make him pick someone we'd actually like.

[rayofreason]

227. Did you consider....

...that Reid wants her because she is acceptable to him and other Senate Dems for some reason not immediately apparent, and that Bush picked her as a way of extending an olive branch to Reid? He could have picked someone who would be totally unacceptable to Reid and duked it out.


So what does it mean that Bush picks someone urged on him by Reid, or has the Guardian got it wrong? And why is Harry Reid a "traitor" for suggesting names of people he likes for a position that must and will be filled?

[sunnystarr]

241. You can bet that the freepers are going nuts that Reid is supporting her.

(nt)

[Mitt Chovick]

319. Reid likes the * crony who is also a fundie

These are strange times, indeed.

[GinaMaria]

76. Seems to me this is an attempt

to keep power and influence long after his term is up. Stack the court with people who are loyal to him, who owe him something... this is really f'ed up.

[Scooter24]

77. Exactly...

It shouldn't come as a surprise that he would rather have a pro-business court than one that is strictly conservative.

[GinaMaria]

304. someone who will look after his personal interests

and not there to look out for the interests of the American people. The bushies may leave the white house in 3 years, but they have no intention of leaving the power. They hope to reign a long time.

The family (meaning his family) will be protected for a long time.

[RaleighNCDUer]

228. Precisely. Just as Rhenquist kept the Nixon dream alive.

Without a social shake-up equal to the great depression and WW2, we may never shed ourselves of this crowd.

[BrklynLiberal]

78. I hope all those who voted for Bush because he would keep us safer are

feeling good right now.
I am going into my bathroom and throwup right now.

[beingthere]

81. This is so In Your Face by Bush

not even an appearance of a neutral appointment. His buddy. She knows about the torture memo, the Rove stuff, you can bet she doesn't disapprove or he would not have appointed her

[onenote]

98. since when are Supreme Court nominations supposed to be "neutral"

Yeah, she's a crony. Yeah, she doesn't have judicial experience.

Guess what...history is way on her side on those points. We need to find something real on which to base opposition. Otherwise, she'll get more than 90 votes.

onenote

[Roland99]

82. Locke Liddell & Sapp linked to TRMPAC and questionable donations

http://www.texasobserver.org/showArticle.asp?ArticleID=1781

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6652757/site/newsweek


Locke, Liddell & Sapp is a law firm in which Miers headed the firm.

[fujiyama]

93. Good find

I think this may be the most effective in questioning her, epecially with all the recent problems DeLay is facing...and the fact that TRMPAC has been in the news.

[Kolesar]

95. Dynamite, Roland, this is Dynamite! That's Miers law firm !! !!

[Roland99]

99. Yeah...I edited the above post with that info and added a new post

with more info.

[Roland99]

96. More on the linkage >>>

The Rise of the Machine

How a small group of politicians and corporations bought themselves a legislature
http://www.texasobserver.org/showArticle.asp?ArticleFileName=030829_f1.htm

A year after the release of the scorecard, with the election less than a month away, Baxter sent out mail pieces in the district attacking Kitchen’s record on state spending. Kitchen, in order to counter what she describes as misleading information, left recorded phone messages for voters. The very next day, a TAB phone bank also left messages directing voters to call it to learn "the truth about Ann Kitchen’s spending taxes." On another occasion, Baxter sent a positive mailing outlining his stance on education. By the next day, voters received a mailer from the TAB attacking Kitchen’s position on education.

Kitchen believes these two incidents demonstrate that the TAB at some level coordinated its advocacy campaign with Baxter, which would be illegal. "On the face of it, that all required coordination of message and timing," she says.

<...>

These two incidents were both submitted by Kitchen to the grand jury in the form of an affidavit. The former representative is also a party to one of three civil suits against the TAB and TRM for their conduct during the election. It’s litigation, Andy Taylor, the TAB’s lawyer never misses a chance to characterize as "losing-candidate lawsuits."

Taylor is a prime example of the incestuous nature of the TAB/TRM effort. It extends to family members of those involved and goes all the way to the White House through Karl Rove. In 2001, Taylor worked for then-Attorney General and Rove protege John Cornyn in the Republican redistricting effort. He then left to join the law firm of Locke Liddell and Sapp that represents Texans for Lawsuit Reform. Soon after, Cornyn hired Taylor to do the same redistricting work he did as a state employee, this time paying Locke Liddell and Sapp $804,478. Now Taylor is the chief lawyer and spokesman for the TAB. He also represents TRM in the civil lawsuits. This summer, Taylor is again the state’s outside counsel on congressional redistricting.

And, look who has donated to DeLay's Legal Expense Fund!

http://www.opensecrets.org/alerts/v6/delay.asp

[ClintonTyree]

137. How about that.........

R. Bruce LaBoon
Houston
TX
Locke, Liddell & Sapp
$1,000

Frank A. Liddell Jr.
Houston
TX
Locke, Liddell & Sapp
$1,000

Locke, Liddell & Sapp
Houston
TX
Locke, Liddell & Sapp
$2,500

Along with this one which I just couldn't resist;
Your Way Fumigation
Menifee
CA
Your Way Fumigation
$1,000

Looks like her old Law Firm is up to their ears in DeLay's corruption.

[Roland99]

109. Looks like Harriet's the one who recommended "Torture" Gonzales >>>

http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/?view=archives&month=2&year=2005

(Scroll to the bottom)

Alberto Gonzales was recommended to Bush as counsel in the Texas Governorship by Harriet Miers, who has replaced Gonzales as White House counsel. Referred to by Bush as a "pit bull in size 6 shoes'', Miers is a former President of Locke, Purnell, Rain & Harrell and former chairwoman of the Texas Lottery Commission. Locke, Purnell, Rain & Harrell have given at least $65,000 to Bush campaigns and are major backers of tort reform. One case involved a unique law - passed under former Gov. George Bush - that blocked Texas consumers from recovering $6 billion in overcharges on car loans and allowed dealers to keep kickbacks secret. Two consumer groups have called on the Texas Legislature to repeal it. Locke, Purnell, Rain & Harrell were defendants of the litigation, which included auto dealers in Texas . Miers was also Chairwoman of the Texas Lottery Commission and responsible for a chain of events involving GTech, which ran the Texas Lottery, former Lt. Governor Ben Barnes, and accusations of kick-backs and illegal contracts. Yes, that Ben Barnes, who says he helped George Bush get into the National Guard. His original deposition on that subject was given in 1999, during this Texas Lottery Commission investigation, and has been permanently sealed.

[fooj]

166. Thanks Roland...I was on my way to research this.

I remembered reading and hearing something about her and the "Torture Terrorist"...and people think she has no trail? It's enough for me.

peace.

[Roland99]

110. Miers on the Crawford Ranch in 2002

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/08/images/20020809-1_ranch7-515h.html

[Danmel]

85. She must have said "Strictly interpret"

a dozen times in her two minute remarks. She is Scalia with tits.

And * went on and on about all the barriers she broke as a woman., PArdon me, but she's never married no kids, no obligations other than work, In other words, she is a man with tits.

Time to call cousin David in Canada...he said he would sponsor us if we want to go up North.

[FourStarDemocrat]

97. Harriet on the ABA's decision to support abortion rights:

From a post on Daily Kos, excerpting a Wall Street Journal article:



"Legal Beat: Bar Association Votes to Back Abortion Rights" August 12, 1992


SAN FRANCISCO -- After a contentious debate, the policy-making body of the American Bar Association voted to take a pro-abortion rights position at the organization's annual meeting.

The decision by the ABA, which followed Monday's vote by convention attendees to endorse the proposal, was a victory for abortion-rights advocates. At its annual meeting two years ago, the ABA adopted a neutral position.

Before the 276-168 vote yesterday, the ABA's new president, Michael McWilliams of Baltimore, told reporters that the ABA could no longer remain neutral.

"You can't dodge an issue just because it's tough," said Mr. McWilliams, a Baltimore lawyer, in remarks to reporters. "And you can't call abortion a non-legal issue."

The ABA's perceived alliance with one side or the other in the abortion debate was a matter of concern to lawyers attending the annual meeting here this week. Both the National Abortion Rights Action League and the National Right-to-Life Committee have been closely monitoring the ABA action, spokeswomen for the groups said.

"People who support this abortionrights resolution want the prestige of the ABA behind the pro-choice movement," Texas bar President Harriet Miers said Monday, arguing against adoption of the resolution supporting abortion rights.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/10/3/71556/3735

[Straight Shooter]

113. That was 1992.

I surely hope she's expressed her views on the issue of pro-choice since then. If not, then she's playing bush's game.

edit because I misread article at first; coffee just now kicking in

[yorkiemommie1]

101. UN f******believable

n/t

[tanyev]

102. Harriet Miers was the fixer for Bush's National Guard records purge

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4955866

[Bombero1956]

104. great

A man with no presidential experience nominates a lawyer with no experience as a judge to the Supreme Court.

I shouldn't type until I've had coffee.

[ClintonTyree]

292. So she's not as innocuous as everyone believes......

a died in the wool theo-fascist just like the rest of them, but with no judicial history to get in her way. Isn't that special? Same shit, different day. SHIT, I HATE THESE FUCKING PEOPLE! :grr:

[FourStarDemocrat]

115. Freepers are trying to calm themselves down:

<<To: Peach
Hutchinson is so easy to listen to. Quiet, calm, a Texas lady.

If she is saying good things about Miers, that makes me feel good, too. >>



Very funny thread, most of them seem to hate the decision.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1495606/posts?q=1&&page=51

[hogwyld]

231. Of course

They would hate anyone to the left of Hitler or Khan!

[rodeodance]

118. He continuously draws from his inside circle.

[daydreamer]

126. It would come in handy

when Jeb is running for WH.

[LynneSin]

132. You notice how repukes don't pick anyone with prior judge experience

Kinda like how senators don't seem to be able to win as president. Too much track record with both of these groups to make them viable winners.

You pick someone who already is a judge you know pretty much how they vote on any record out there.

But once again we've picked someone with no judicial history that gives us no way of figuring out how they'll act as a judge.

[Hissyspit]

145. Lynne, see my post #141 above. nt

[RaleighNCDUer]

230. But you know that those who pick them know

EXACTLY where they stand. Even if they don't admit it.

[AllyCat]

134. Help me understand...has NEVER been a judge?

She makes Roberts look like a life-long veteran by comparison! This is the epitomy of cronyism I'm sure. Feingold, please tell me you will open your eyes this time.

[Fluffdaddy]

136. ANYBODY THE NEO-CON'S AND FREEPERS HATE..........I LOVE

[Mitt Chovick]

320. You love Pat Buchanan?

:crazy:

[msanthrope]

138. Miers = Brownie. Pass the Meme Along. No job experience,

but a loyalist to the President.

[Dukkha]

146. I'm sure she'll do "a heck of a job"

:eyes:

This is what qualifies you for SCOTUS?

[johnlal]

158. Doin' a heck of a job, Harry!

Heh Heh Heh!

[mcscajun]

142. This is beyond absurd. The woman hasn't the background for this!

At least Roberts, as much as we objected to him, had the legal credentials and some history with the Supreme Court (he'd clerked for Rehnquist and later in his career, had actually argued cases before the Supreme Court).

This woman is purely a provincial Bush crony who rose along with him, with no prior high-level experience even in Texas! If she hadn't been a Bush crony, she'd never have made it to White House Counsel, no way! Having been the President of the Texas State Bar, the Dallas Bar Association and being a member of the Dallas City Council doesn't qualify as "high-level" when we're talking about a position of sweeping national and long-term impact.

If she is confirmed, then I just flat give up on the whole business of government, and a plague on both their houses.

[Fluffdaddy]

144. Thank the people that voted for Nader in 2000

[erpowers]

168. Not The Fault of Nader Voters

First, I would like to point out that I did not vote for Nader in 2000. Second, it is not the fault of Nader voters that this is happening. One Gore could have picked a better running mate and that could have given him more votes. Gore could have run a stronger campaign and tried to show the differences between himself and Bush. However, ultimately the problem came in the fact that Jeb Bush worked hard to steal the election in 2000. The fact that so many black voters were taken off the voter roll before the election is what caused the problem. Beyond that you can blame all the Senators that decided not to take a stand in 2000 and ask for an investigation into the election results. Everyone must remember Gore won the election by 500,000 votes. This is not the fault of the Nader voters. This is the fault of corruption and cowardice.

[unpossibles]

203. BS. Gore still won

but the SCOTUS put Bush in office. Stop blaming the wrong people.

[patcox2]

161. I bet the ABA will rate her "highly qualified." And they'll be right.

People here put way way too much emphasis on judicial experience. Its not required.

This woman is not a typical hack or crony; she had a 30 year career in purely private practice, never appointed to any political or government job. And she was a tremendous success, becoming managing partner of her law firm and president of the state bar association and number 2 at the ABA.

These are not accomplishments that cronyism or brown-nosing can produce.

Legal world is highly, highly competitive, law firms are highly competitive, bar associations are not partisan, the ABA is decidedly liberal.

I would rather practice before a judge with her background than a career government political hack like Roberts.

Maybe you have to be a lawyer who works with government appointees and government lawyers a lot to see the distinction, but its real.

[mcscajun]

169. It's not just that she hasn't been a judge anywhere...it's that she also

has never argued before the Supreme Court. She didn't clerk for anyone on it. And she wasn't the No.2 at the ABA, she was one of Two candidates for the position...she withdrew her candidacy for personal reasons -- to go work at the WH.

"When then-Governor Bush appointed Ms. Miers to a six-year term on the Texas Lottery Commission, it was mired in scandal, and she served as a driving force behind its cleanup."

both the ABA item and the Lottery item are from:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/03/AR2005100300305.html

I know judicial experience is not required, but damn. This is a HUGE leap for this person.

[ClintonTyree]

293. Don't you have to have some sort of experience.........

to be rated "highly qualified"? Lacking any Judicial experience at all, how could anyone possibly rate her? :shrug: That would be like the citizens of the United States saying in 1999 that "george bush is highly qualified" to be president. We all know how THAT worked out!

[lostnfound]

147. Ignore this / self-delete

RS has taken the banner headline down about Exodus. It appears to be a different Exodus.

[IndianaGreen]

149. Link?

We do need a link for such a priceless piece of info.

[lostnfound]

151. Note: it appears not to be the same group.

Raw story has taken the banner link down for this: http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Bush_nominee_Miers_steered_group_aimed_1003.html

and this says that it's a different group, one that deals with prison ministry:
http://americablog.blogspot.com/2005/10/no-not-that-exodus.html

[mcscajun]

153. Rawstory's got it wrong...

They're confusing
Exodus Ministries
http://www.phpc.org/templates/cusprestonhollow/details.asp?id=29712&PID=242832

with
Exodus International
http://www.exodus.to/

[lostnfound]

155. Yep. I love their site, though, and it is very rare for them..

to make such a mistake. They corrected it very fast.

[mcscajun]

160. Indeed they did...when I went looking for the initial story it was

already gone...although the correction wasn't up yet.

:)

[malmapus]

148. Bah, who needs experience with * at the top

Puts a guy in charge of FEMA who couldn't even rate horses apparently, now tapping someone with no experience sitting on the bench to be a part of the nations highest court.

[Catboater]

157. No Judicial Experience?

Oh, okay, if you say so. Supreme Court Justice as entry level position, lifetime appointment. Sure, what's the matter with that. Say, I like shiny red fire engines, can I be Chief?

[stormmoon1978]

164. Um... ok

I've never heard of her until now, so I know I don't trust her.

[patcox2]

167. I love catboats; beetle or herreshoff or wittholtz?

But I have no problem with a supreme court nominee with no judicial experience.

Have a lot of experience standing up in front of judges and from my perspective, too many of them are too insular and narrow because they spent their whole lives inside government. I like the ones who actually had to earn a paycheck, as this one apparently did.

[Catboater]

236. None of the above

I've got a Marshall Sanderling. Its an 18 footer - perfect size to single hand or take a few people along comfortably. I just love that boat, and get nice comments from other boaters, too.

[patcox2]

281. Thats the most common around here (Barnegat Bay)

I have always wanted one, forever, beautiful, but all catboats are beautiful. I've got a stinkpot, but its a classic Maine-ey looking thing, a Mainship trawler.

[nvliberal]

172. Harriet WHO?

The kicker is that despite having a skimpier record than Roberts, she might actually be good on the court.

But why do we need MORE cronies in positions of power?

[mcscajun]

173. We don't, but we're gonna get 'em anyhow. So eat your oatmeal

and shut up. :sarcasm:

[tainowarrior]

177. Is it just me

or does that woman look like an ugly Vulture? Someone please tell her to lay off the black eye liner.

http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BUSH_SCOTUS?SITE=WIMAD&SECTION=HOME

[McCamy Taylor]

180. Bush Family Solidifying Power in DC, Predict Right to Life Hissy Fit.

This woman is all about keeping the Bush Family dominant and NOTHING about the values of the Right Wing base that the Bush Family is currently exploiting to keep in power.

[DeepModem Mom]

182. WP: Miers Donated to Democrats

Miers Donated to Democrats
Chris Cillizza


Picking through the background of newly minted Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers, there's some political activities that may irritate the president's conservative base -- she donated campaign cash to a handful of Democrats, including Al Gore.

In her defense, the donations date back to the 1980s. For example,Miers gave $1,000 to Gore, then a senator from Tennessee, during his 1988 bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, according to Political Moneyline -- the best site on the Web to track money and politics.

During that same cycle, Miers also donated $1,000 each to Democratic Texas Sen. Lloyd Bentsen and the Democratic National Committee.

Miers's more recent donations less surprising. She gave $2,000 to President Bush's 2004 re-election effort and $5,000 to Bush's recount fund in the aftermath of the 2000 election....


http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/thefix/

[Arkana]

183. That's what's making the Freeps hate her so much.

Who knows--we may actually agree on something.

[Bumblebee]

188. Good. It's an excellent situation when she does not please

his base and it still smacks of utter cronyism, like Brownie. This is entirely a Cheney situation -- from the "wettor" who advises on other possible candiadates to the candidate herself. Will be very interesting to watch him being attacked from both sides. Let the fireworks start!

[Hobarticus]

184. Big deal...twenty-year old checks, versus what she did last week...

She's tainted goods. Anyone who's worked within earshot of this admin is suspect.

[arwalden]

185. Qualifications Be-Damned! Loyal Idealogues Only!

[leetrisck]

186. And this is supposed to make us feel good about here

I think not - that's the only reason they put that out there.

[Nye Bevan]

187. FWIW the repukes at my job are *disgusted* with this choice

So chimp followed Harry Reid's recommendation. Perhaps given all his other problems he just doesn't have the stomach for a fight here?

[still_one]

189. don't be fooled

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2130848

[Rose Siding]

190. "In her defense..."? Donating to dems has to be DEFENDED?

It was a long time ago, so that clears her of doing something so CRAZY? :eyes:

[JAbuchan08]

195. "In her defense"

she didn't realize at the time that they were "democratic democrats" she thought they were the squishy kind.

[madame defarge]

191. I don't care who she donated to...

I care whether she is qualified for the job. How can you serve on the nation's highest court and never have been a judge???

[rodeodance]

192. she has obviously made a sharp Right turn-to sit next to Jr.

[davidinalameda]

193. there are others who have served and haven't been judges

I think Earl Warren was one of them

[Rowdyboy]

194. Thats not unusual at all....There have been at least 30-35 justices

who never served as a judge.

[AllyCat]

201. 30-35 U.S. SC justices?

Any way to find out how many, years, and their backgrounds before becoming justices?

[Rowdyboy]

213. Yep, Supreme Court justices....If I come across a list, I'll let you know.

[AllyCat]

257. Franken was just interviewing someone (missed the name)

who said this is not at all unusual to not have experience as a judge. But he said when the nominee has no judicial experience, they usually have a long and distinguished career as a lawyer, which Harriet Miers does not.

Sorry. I cannot get the taste of cronyism out of my mouth. Harry Reid already likes her.

[MalibuChloe]

207. the same way you can serve as commander-in-chief without...

ever having served in the military. The same way you can be the CEO of a tobacco company without ever having worked in a tobacco field.

welcome to the world.

[Mass]

266. At the time she donated, Rick Perrry was Gore's Texas campaign chair

http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Reports_on_Miers_donations_to_Gore_1003.html

[Swede Atlanta]

206. No Paper Trail and the coming Indictments

This is perfect for the neo-fascist cabal. This woman will have no paper trail since she hasn't been on ANY court, let alone a Federal District or Appeals Court. And if what George Stephanopolis said on This Week is true, that both Cheney and Bush are directly involved in the Plame affair, he may be padding his votes on the Court so he can get a Get Out of Jail free card.

[Kitsune]

211. This bastard doesn't deserve to nominate ANY SCOTUS justices.

And we're going to bend over and let him have two cronies who will fuck this country over for 40 years.

I fucking give up. If we don't sit up and say "FUCK NO!" I will not vote for another Democrat ever again.

[Julius Civitatus]

215. Give her a break. She's great in SNL

Oooops.
My bad... that was Rachel Dratch.

Nevermind.

;-)

(At least we know who will play her on SNL)

[barbaraann]

216. Rice, Hughes, Miers---

I can't get the image of the Manson Groupies out of my mind.

[YouthInAsia]

218. Miers refered to Bush as "The most brilliant man I have ever met"

This was reported on a CONSERVATIVE website (National Review...who, by the way, is RIPPING this choice). That statement by her just about says all you need to know about her. She's a lapdog.

[AspenRose]

219. Hmph, that's telling....

"The president's announcement drew warm support from the top Senate Democrat, a noncommittal response from a Democratic member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, skepticism from the leader of a group of liberal activists, and sharp criticism from a conservative activist who was an early Bush White House speechwriter."

[Orion The Hunter]

223. Ahhh cronyism at its finest!

At least her nomination is needling the hell out of the GOP :)

[mvd]

229. This disgusts me even more than the Roberts nomination

We need to make demands that she answer some questions that Roberts got a pass from many Democrats on. If there's the same obstruction, we need to filibuster for sure. I believe that she can be easily swayed - by Roberts, and possibly even worse, Scalia.

[janetle]

273. I totally agree. She's not independent; hell, she's not even smart

[raysr]

232. David Sirota

Miers Record: Crony Tied to Major Texas Scandal, and Bush National Guard Controversy

President Bush's latest nominee to the Supreme Court, Harriet Miers, has quite a shady and questionable past, according to the Philadelphia Daily News. She was tied not only to a major corruption scandal in Texas, but also to President Bush's Texas National Guard scandal. Check out the Daily News' exclusive rundown at:

http://www.pnionline.com/dnblog/attytood/archives/002383.html

[hogwyld]

234. Maybe the best of a bad lot

If Bill Kristol and the freepers are in a huff, maybe it's better than say getting a Luttig, Janice Brown, or some other fascist. They're worried that she's another Souter or Kennedy. Hope springs eternal!

[raysr]

237. Sounds like their pretty

thrilled with her here:

National Review ^ | Oct. 3, 2005 | David Frum
"You can always count on George W. Bush to get the big ones right." That line or something like it has consoled conservatives during their periodic bursts of unhappiness with this administration. And by and large it has been true. Oh, there were major mistakes, no doubt about that--prescription drugs, steel quotas, and so on--but it was always possible to rationalize those as forced on the president by grim necessity or some prior campaign promise. The Miers nomination, though, is an unforced error. Unlike the Roberts's nomination, which confirmed the previous balance on the Court, the O'Connor resignation offered an...

[hogwyld]

271. From what I understand

She was actually a Democrat in the '80s, so I'm hoping that she's still got some of the good DNA still in her. I figure the confirmation is a done deal with Harry Reid selling us out. Besides, she grew up in Texas when it used to be a Democratic stronghold.

[Chicago Democrat]

242. ITS A FILABUSTER FOLKS!!

FUCK THIS

[ClintonTyree]

299. You're kidding, right?

We "saved" the filibuster but we can never use it. That was the deal. Another rubber stamp from Reid on this one, he's already said so. The mythical "filibuster" of which you speak used to exist before the Democrats were all gelded and neutered. It's now kept in a box at the Smithsonian, unavailable to be viewed by the public for fear that people will wonder what a Democracy used to look like and demand one again.
Filibuster! :rofl:

[AZBlue]

244. Does Bush know she won't be approved? Another candidate in the wings?

I couldn't help but wonder - is this a set-up of sorts? I know it sounds paranoid, but I guess that's what Rove has driven me to - and it does sound like his kind of plan:

Put up a candidate that's obviously inexperienced and unsuitable and let her get shot down. Then, put up a candidate that would otherwise be hard to get through - a staunch conservative that would tip the court firmly to the right. If the Dems argue against the second candidate again, and even filibuster for the second time....well, then it's just the Dems being difficult. I can just hear the sound bites: "We're trying to work with everyone but some people just want to oppose anyone we put up." "This should be a non-partisan issue but unfortunately some don't see it that way." "We think we should work together on this and not be divisive." Plus, this way the real candidate doesn't have to be a woman - he's tried a woman, he's done his part, now he can move on to a real lawyer (aka, a man).

Just a thought.

[Eurobabe]

248. Just to keep the story on the "front page"

probably.

[sofa king]

246. It's not cronyism, it's criminal conspiracy

Viewed as part of an ongoing operation to reward and to conceal criminal wrongdoing, the Miers nomination makes perfect sense.

The nomination also fits well into an already established pattern of rewarding and protecting those who have participated in the crimes of the Bush Administration, while marginalizing and pushing away those who have not participated or acted only reluctantly. Recent rewardees: Paul Wolfowitz, John Bolton. Losers: Christine Todd Whitman, Colin Powell.

The nomination also provides us with excellent territory to mine and further expose the extent of that criminal operation, because simply by virtue of her position within the White House, we know with a high degree of certainty that Miers was involved in many, if not most, of the facets of the high crimes of the Bush Administration.

The Miers nomination also provides an excellent opportunity to lay the legal groundwork for something which may be unprecedented in recent times. Even if Democrats cannot prevent the nomination of Miers, Democrats can and have a duty to confront Miers with her involvement in the scandals of the Bush Administration.

The details of those scandals will continue to emerge, and to get nominated, I have a hunch that Miers will be forced to perjur herself before the Senate if someone has the cojones to ask the tough questions.

That in turn will be the grounds upon which Miers can later be impeached and removed from the Supreme Court.

Think I'm talking crazy? As Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy within the White House, Miers had to have at least passing knowledge of the following things:

*) The composition of Dick Cheney's secretive Energy Task Force, and in particular the cooperation of that task force in the planning of an invasion of Iraq beginning in February, 2001--six months before the attacks of September 11 gave the White House the spurious causus belli it used for the eventual invasion. (As an added bonus, duck-hunter Antonin Scalia refused to recuse himself from that case.)

*) The $7 billion no-bid contract awarded to Halliburton in Iraq, that company's subsequent price inflation charges, the undocumented distribution of millions of dollars through Halliburton subsidiary KBR to the Coalition Provisional Authority (much of which appears to have shown up in the hands of senior Iraqi officials), and its lack of documentation for $1.8 billion in charges to the federal government. Toss in also the sputtering investigations into Halliburton's pre-2001 bribing of Nigerian officials, secretly dealing with Iran, and fudging the value of the company to stockholders, and the fact that none of these apparent indiscretions have resulted in more than hand-slaps from federal investigators.

*) Diversion of $700 million from the war in Afghanistan to planning for the war in Iraq. As a matter of policy, this incident should have come to Miers' attention and, if it did, Miers would have been compelled to twist a plausible excuse out of a clear violation of Congress' oversight over war spending.

*) Wiretapping the UN, inflated leasing fees to Boeing, concealing the costs of the Medicare bill, Armstrong Williams on the federal payroll, concealing air hazards in the cleanup of the WTC, the Rove-Intel meetings... god damn, I'm gonna throw up.

*) The obvious delay and parsimonious release of flyboy Bush's Air National Guard records. Note also that the person in charge of the release of these documents--apparently Harriet Miers herself--would also be in a perfect position to plant forged documents such as the one apparently recovered by Dan Rather and CBS. Remember also that while that particular document was found to be a forgery, other documents using the same font and kerning were accepted by the White House and released as legitimate.

*) The ubiquitous scandals of K-Street powerbroker Jack Abramoff, including the possible laundering of al Qaeda money into the campaign funds of the Republican Party, and the desperate cover-up of that crime which John Ashcroft so deftly kept under wraps for three years. (Okay, that's my theory, not Salon's.)

*) And finally, thank God, we come to Nigerian yellowcake, the outing of Valerie Plame, and torture, which most of you are thoroughly familiar with.

All of the above is taken from this Salon article:

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2005/01/18/scandal/

The point of all of this is that, if we work under the assumption that at least some of these scandals are true-blue criminal in nature, Ms. Miers had intimate knowledge of some or all of them.

That, my friends, is why she's being nominated in the first place, in order to protect the White House from the cascade of investigation and scandal which shall continue to burst forth from the seams of this most criminal Presidential administration in modern history, if not ever. One thing we won't know is if Miers was selected for the job or if she, like Dick Cheney, selected herself, using the leverage of her ability to further expose the White House to damage.

But this is an excellent opportunity for Americans of all stripes who want their country back to put Miers--and the Bush Presidency--under the microscope for this multitude of crimes. Make her answer "I don't recall" to every last one of them, just like Bud McFarlane and Ollie North tried to do. Who knows, under such grilling she may accidentally provide further information which fills in the overall picture of exactly how corrupt those people actually are.

In the meantime, the parade of scandal and criminal wrongdoing once again gets to march across the headlines.

One day, perhaps, when the e-mails leak and people start singing to avoid hard time in federal pens, we may be able to assemble a case that shows that Ms. Miers lied to the Senate. When that happens, we can go back in there to that most august of bodies, and impeach her.

[confludemocrat]

262. This goddamn nominee better answer some questions. Are Dems ready?

I fuckin hope so or there shouldn't just be me leaving the party (after Leahy started the ball rolling to provide cover for 22 other Democrats to vote for Roberts) over these supreme court appts.

[WhiteTara]

247. What is it with Reid? He is such a f*ck up that I just

can't stand him. "Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), within two hours of Bush's announcement, said in a written statement: "I like Harried Miers."
I don't know if Harry has a thing for Harried (what's up with the spelling anyway?) but he nauseates me. :puke::puke::puke::puke:

[ClintonTyree]

296. He's really starting to piss me off too........

for a while I thought we might have finally found a Democratic leader, someone who would actually FIGHT for a change and not roll over and play dead. I think I was wrong. And just WHAT did we "save" the filibuster for again? Oh, that's right. We SAVED it but we can never USE it. Great deal, if you're a theo-fascist. :grr:

[WhiteTara]

302. in another thread, I was cautioned that perhaps

Reid is a smooth operator and that he has stolen rep meme that dems won't work with anyone, but has the conservatives screaming. I hope that person is right, but I fear that Reid is really an idiot and that he drinking koolaid :shrug:

[joytomme]

249. The Harriet Who choice

I could swallow the fact that the woman has never served as a judge before. But when you look at her bio, she has never done anything worthy of mention ever. She has a law degree. Period. Oh...I forgot., from 1995 until 2000, she was chair of the Texas Lottery Commission.

Please read my blog (http://ratbangdiary. blogspot.com) for her full bio. It's something less than impressive for a state judgeship appointment. As an appointment to the Supreme Court, one can only say she's surely played kissy-face with the right Texans.

Joy Tomme
(http://ratbangdiary. blogspot.com)

[demo dutch]

252. Sound like she has something in common with the prez!

Kind sums it up when she says: "Scrubs is the most brilliant man she had ever met"

[johnny greenones]

253. disgusting

Some choice quotes so far on this thread:

"The woman looks evil. n/t"

"Judging by her pic, she looks like someone who would put her cigarette out in your eye."

"ewwwww...my eyes!!!!! she looks like the wicked witch in the wizard of oz."

since when do we "judge" anyone by their pic? what is wrong with you people? attack her based on the substance of her views or qualifications; not her looks. comments like this are misogyny even if spewed by "progressives." sheeh i was told this was the best progressive board around but thus far i'm disappointed. leave the bigotry to the other side.

[the_spectator]

279. good post - this ties in so well to...

the "another 'Brownie'/Bush Cronyism" talking point suggested up-thread.

She has not been a judge, so she does have the advantage of stealth: there are no DECISIONS of any court written by her to pick over. And anything she has produced as a practicing attorney DOESN'T really count too much - it really is true that we have an adversary legal system, both sides fight to win, hired lances, etc.

And, I fear, with her rather less than Ivy League law school background, and she never has been a law professor (has she?) she will not have published in academic journals, etc., which are also good for finding "bombs" in that have to be explained away.

But at least she will have to face the committee and answer questions. She can't parry and smile the way Roberts did, no one could. If she gets wobbly on the big questions, or commits a gaffe or two, the "another Michael Brown" meme really COULD derail her nomination!!

So I have hope. (I mean, come on, chair of the "Texas Lottery Commission"? That is SO pre-Katrina FEMA: you just sit in your fancy office while the professionals do rescue and recovery, or in this case, some accounting work. It kinda smells of sinecure pretty bad.)

[adigal]

251. Who really thinks Bush wants to get rid of Roe v. Wade??

That would destroy the republicans for a generation and Rove does not want that. Their followers refuse to believe that, because all of the fundies went out in droves to vote for Dubya, hoping to end abortion on demand. Now, once again, they got screwed.

Serves them right, trying to change laws to conform with their religious beliefts.

[lakercub]

259. You nailed this

I've been saying this for awhile. Abortion is the Republican silver bullet. They will NEVER let it become fully illegal because it would destroy them at the voting booths (and, to a lesser extent, gay marriage). The republican base wants these things illegal badly, but you will notice that not much progress has been made on that front even though the Bushies control everything.

They will go after partial-birth abortion or parental notification, but it would be insane politically to make all abortions illegal. Every two years at election time, the republican candidate can trot out the fact he is pro-life and he can watch the churches literally bus people to the poles. The repub candidate will make all kinds of noise about how evil abortion is, but, in the end, he/she will do nothing about it.

The thing that amazes me is that the religious right hasn't figured this out. They must really be sheep. Every election they bitch about "murderers" and every election they try, and often succeed, to elect the pro-life candidate. But they aren't any further along than they were before.

If abortion and gay marriage are made illegal, what motivates the religious right to come to the poles? Nothing, and then the republicans are dead. Corporate tax cuts just don't draw huge numbers to the poles. I think this new justice will go out of her way to keep abortion legal because she doesn't want to kill they party hopes forever.

[rhett o rick]

254. Don't forget the Demo's have the filibuster at their disposal. Lol. nt

[vard28]

255. We've had the pony part...

... with the horse judge. Maybe she's gonna be the K-9 part of the newest presidential Dog and Pony show?

I'm at a loss... :banghead:

[seang70]

256. Bush is pissing both sides off today

What a mess...........Driving around Atlanta this afternoon I saw my first Hillary 08 bumper sticker........

[Nightwing]

276. Gotta get me one of those!!

Hillary '08 bumper sticker that is. Like it or not, she's our best hope to take back the White House and I'm one hundred percent behind her all the way!!

Clinton/Clark 2008!!!

[truth4achange]

258. a puzzler

This one is a bit of a puzzler, isn't it? On the one hand, I have yet to read a compelling, actual reason for her nomination. On the other hand, she does seem to have graduate from the Alice Cooper school of eye make-up. That should count for something, eh?

http://www.hairytruth.blogspot.com

[Paligal]

260. Abortion, Gay Rights- Do we know anything?

I'm scouring the Internet for any hints as to this woman's positions, and can find nothing. That's more unsettling to me than knowing what kind of beast we are dealing with. I see that she donated to the Dems back in the 80's but as someone pointed out, that doesn't mean much, as she donated to both sides and probably wanted to be on the good side of whoever was in power. I want some whiff of what her actually views are on the key issues (as does everyone).

I find it disturbing that she has NO experience as a judge. It tells me that Bush is trying to put a candidate up where there is no past record to look at and she could be a radical neocon, for all we know. I mean, what are the chances he would be using a lack of history in an inexperienced candidate to put a moderate up? I don't trust it. This feels like a Rove advised dirty trick. I could be wrong, but these people haven't shown ANY evidence of choosing the middle road in anything. They haven't given an inch in anything. Why would they do so now?

[Charles19]

298. I think no way

Her record in the past shows she never really voiced her opinion much about national issues. Have you ever seen a neo-con that didn't blast off about how they know everything about everything? Also she used to be a Democrat not many years ago. She was a conservative democrat gave money to Al Gores campaign.

If Bush wanted to get a wing nut in there he could. Both his picks were actually really smart picks and he could have picked WAY WAYY WAYYY worse. At least Roberts and her are super smart and accomplished. They both deal well with with people. I could write 100's of pages on Bush policies that I think are way off but I am going to call them as I see them regardless and I call both picks as being very good picks.

The president gets to make the pick and that is the system. It isn't a popularity contest.

[Fire Walk With Me]

267. She owns stock in a Dallas oil company.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=ax.H5m9e6Cew&refer=top_world_news

"Investments include stock worth between $1,001 and $15,000 in HM Investments, an oil and gas firm based in Dallas, of which she is a general partner."

Oil, who could have imagined that? How nice for her that oil is currently worth so much.

[Geek_Girl]

272. This is really a stupid move on Bush's part

The only thing I an think of is that they are pushing the limit and know she will probably not get nominated then they'll put some other loser out there and that one will be nominated.

My guess this is just a game the White House is playing. I hope democrats stand firm on this and filibuster.

Is there any historical president about a person sitting on the supreme court who has never been a judge. :shrug:

[Paligal]

274. Some abortion record, though vague....

Not sure if she's anti-abortion, but she donated money to Donald B Stenberg, who brought the issue before the Supreme Court again for Nebraska:

"Nebraska Attorney General Donald B. Stenberg defends the "partial-birth abortion" ban as a prohibition against infanticide. When Ginsburg asks how it can be infanticide when the fetus is not yet viable, Stenberg says that pre- and post-viability of the fetus is only one "bright line" test of the distinction between abortion and infanticide. Scalia, says it may be enough to just "look more like infanticide" because the killing is happening outside the womb."
http://slate.msn.com/id/52653/entry/81244/device/html40...

Don't know...

This quote from another thread worries me as well:
Quoting Mr. Hecht on Ms. Miers's judicial philosophy: "She's an originalist -- that's the way she takes the Bible," and that's her approach to the Constitution as well -- "Originalist -- it means what it says."

Mr. Hecht says he and Ms. Miers "went to two or three pro-life dinners in the late 80s or early 90s."
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1823612#1823623

[Nightwing]

275. Having second thoughts???

I couldnt help but notice the lack of posters opposing Roberts as chief justice thinking we'd get a better pick from the chimp with his next nomination. Havent you learned anything about POTUS by now? Give him an inch and he'll take a fuckin mile.

Sorry if I dont want to hear all the hand wringing and wailing over Miers but that's due to the fact that many DU'ers here bought into the line that Roberts was the best of a bad bunch.

You're just now realizing you've been sold a bill of goods.........AGAIN.........and NOW you want to complain???

You can never back down from George fuckin Bush EVER. We should ALL know this by now but I guess I was wrong.

I fought Roberts nomination as did others; But for those of you that rolled over and took it, I dont want to hear complaints. You should have known better.

[Mistwell]

278. Miers used to donate to DNC!

I'm surprised this hasn't been mentioned. She gave money to the Dukakis and the Gore campaign and the DNC. Also, the hard religious right is VERY upset about her nomination as they think she will be another Souter. These are all good signs! Why all the doom and gloom? Could we really have expected a much better candidate than this kind of one from this Administration?

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/10/03/D8D0KLSG6.html

Miers Gave to GOP Candidates, Democrats
Oct 03 11:14 AM US/Eastern

WASHINGTON

Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers gave $1,000 to Democrat Al Gore's unsuccessful presidential bid in 1988 _ and 12 years later contributed to the effort to end Gore's chance of winning the White House.

In 1988, Miers, then a lawyer in private practice, donated $1,000 to Gore, the Tennessee Democrat then seeking the party's presidential nomination, according to Federal Election Commission reports. Gore eventually bowed out and Michael Dukakis secured the nomination.

In 2000, Miers contributed to the campaign of Texas Gov. George W. Bush, who was running against Gore that year. When the votes were still being counted in Florida and the outcome was in doubt, she gave $5,000 to the Bush-Cheney Inc. Recount Fund, according to the non- partisan Political MoneyLine.

Through the years, Miers has contributed more than $10,000 to political candidates, focusing mainly on Texas Republicans such as Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, Rep. Pete Sessions and former Sen. Phil Gramm.

Miers also gave $1,000 to another prominent Democrat _ Lloyd Bentsen, the longtime Texas senator who in 1988 ran for re-election and also was Dukakis' vice presidential choice on the Democratic ticket that year.

Bentsen won another term in the Senate, but the Republican ticket of George H. W. Bush and Dan Quayle defeated Dukakis and Bentsen.

Miers contributed $1,000 to the Democratic National Committee Services Corp. in 1988.

Miers gave some $5,000 to Bush's 2000 campaign and his 2004 re- election bid. She contributed $1,650 to the presidential inaugural committee that paid for some of the festivities surrounding Bush's swearing in to a second term.


SEE ALSO:


Conservative Group Opposes 'Bush Packing' Appointment of Miers
Mon Oct 03 2005 09:52:34 ET

To National Desk

Contact: Jesse Binnall of the Public Advocate

FALLS CHURCH, Va., Oct. 3 /Christian Wire Service/ -- Public Advocate President Eugene Delgaudio has issued the following statement following the appointment of Harriet Miers to serve on the Supreme Court.

"The President's nomination of Miers is a betrayal of the conservative, pro-family voters whose support put Bush in the White House in both the 2000 and 2004 elections and who were promised Supreme Court appointments in the mold of Thomas and Scalia. Instead we were given 'stealth nominees,' who have never ruled on controversial issues, more in the mold of the disastrous choice of David Souter by this President's father.

"When there are so many proven judges in the mix, it is unacceptable this President has appointed a political crony with no conservative credentials. This attempt at 'Bush Packing' the Supreme Court must not be allowed to pass the Senate and we will forcefully oppose this nomination."

[ClintonTyree]

294. A thousand dollars here and there.........

that's Texas politics. She donated $48,000 to bush's presidential campaign. Do you still think she's non-partisan? She's a died in the wool theo-fascist just like the rest of the bush cabal, she just doesn't have the papers to prove it.

[Mistwell]

301. I didn't say non-partisan

I think she is partisan. However, I don't think she is a hard right fascist. She looks like about as much of a moderate conservative as could be hoped for from this Administration.

[Rex]

282. Yeah that's it

put someone on the bench of the most important court in the land, that has NO experience as a judge! It amazes me to see these asshole crooks in action!

[Nostradamus]

285. Reminds me of Caligula appointing his horse to the Senate

[Strawman]

312. Good one!

:spray:

[Calliope]

288. I just heard on NBC news

that Rush is NOT happy with choice.Neither is Bill Kristol(sp?)

[superconnected]

290. It's a setup. This is bush taking over.

Get ready for patriot act 3.

No judge in America would support just putting any lawyer on the supreme court.

[Joey Liberal]

297. Is she Gay?

Not that it matters to me. But you know how the republicans are. Bush seems to like the Condi Rice types - never married, totally devoted to him. Either she's Gay or he's doing her.

[Blaq Dem]

314. She could be another "Monica"

I think she's waxing Bush's boots. Just like O'Connor was waxing Rehnquist's boots.


They say she agrees with whatever he says. In the long run, we'll be seeing Clarence Thomas' older sister on the court; waiting for Scalia's to make a move, and she'll move likewise. If Scalia farts, she'll fart.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

307. Harry told Dick to pick Miers

This is scary, Senator Harry Reid (D) thought she was a good pick, told Dick so.

Democratic Senate Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) urged President Bush to pick White House counsel Harriet Miers as his nominee to the Supreme Court, RAW STORY can confirm.

In a conference call held with liberal bloggers last week, Reid declared that he had told Vice President Dick Cheney and White House Chief of Staff Andy Card that Miers was a good choice for the Court.

"I said, 'I think that rather than rather than looking at the people your lawyer’s recommending, pick her," the senator remarked. "The reason I like her is that she’s the first woman to be president of the very, very large Texas bar association, she was a partner in a law firm, she’s actually tried cases, she was a trial lawyer, and she’s had experience here. I could accept that. And if that fits into the cronyism argument, I will include everybody as a crony, but not her, when I make my case."

http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Reid_told_Cheney_to_pick_Miers_1003.html

[FourStarDemocrat]

308. Sounds like Reid has saved his pro-life vote for her.

Whose orders I wonder does he march to? And what will he say when a few years down the road she'll provide the fifth vote to overturn Roe v Wade?

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

309. There could be one up side to this if the Dems play their cards right

in the nomination hearings. And this could be the most brilliant move of Harry Reid's career. Miers has her fingers in a lot of very messy White House pies and she is "White House Counsel". I am pretty sure that the whole concept of "attorney/client" privilege as it relates to White House Counsel (paid by the taxpayers to represent the taxpayers) was blown totally out of the water during the Clinton impeachment.

So, now we have Bush nominating one of his inner players who will have to sit through a long and grueling nomination process. She has no judicial records to draw from. Her time spent in private practice is privileged, but her time as White House Counsel is not!!! This could be an unbelievable opportunity to ask some very very embarrassing questions. And she will either: a - invoke an invalid confidentiality privilege, which we should fight and then she will look like she is stonewalling, b- say I don't know, I don't remember, etc. which will also be seen as stonewalling or obstructionist or c- tell the truth which won't be pretty.

I understand Ted Kennedy has already made a request for some of her working papers. The White House talking head on Tweety tonight was ALREADY invoking client/attorney privilege. Remember everyone - THAT PRIVILEGE DOES NOT EXIST FOR WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL!!!!! We citizens have a right to this material. (just as a side note - remember the reason Bush had to get a private criminal attorney when Plame started to heat up was precisely for this same reason - government lawyers do not personally represent the President)

This could be rich!!!

[Tarc]

317. Interesting analysis

So Reid gets the Randall Terry and the other diehards all up in arms by pushing a paiper trial-less conservative, and could possibly drag some skeetons out of a few White House closets. Sounds like a plan.

And not that I question the "priviliege does not exist for WH counsel", but do you have a link/source for that Clinton-era ruling? Would like to have reliable "here ya go" to give to others when this aspect comes up.

[superconnected]

316. Lotto lady cannot overturn roe vs. wade.

That ones has always been Republican lip service. Actually doing it will cause too much public outrage. It would end up being reversed quickly. The politicians supporting it would be have a giant lash of women/men who support abortion, against them. No other political stance they stand on will save them. It will be a one issue, black and white decision for most women. I'd love to see lotto lady try it.

[RedCloud]

322. Time to impeach the feeble minded old goat.

This is an insult to the court.