Reid's reaction to Mier nomination

[thefloyd]

I cannot figure out why Harry R. gave Bush the nod on
Mier. Did Reid calculate a Mier nomination would send W's base into a tailspin? Thus spliting up the conservative base into two more camps. Or was Reid just trying to act bipartisan. Someone help me come to a conclusion....

[Skinner]

1. Only Reid knows for sure.

My best guess is that he was sincere in his reaction to Miers.

But if it was calculated to piss off the conservative base, it was fucking brilliant.

[Neil Lisst]

17. Skinner/your original post.

You wrote:

My best guess is that he was sincere in his reaction to Miers.

But if it was calculated to piss off the conservative base, it was fucking brilliant.
-------------------------------------------------

I think it has to be some of both. He absolutely told Bush during the past several weeks that she was the kind of appointment Bush should make. He probably figures she's as good as we will get. And, he had to know that putting his arm around her would send the rightwing into the stratosphere.

I recall that Reid is personally opposed to abortion, so it's ironic the right is so apoplectic over this appointment. Fact is, they wanted a true and loyal warrior for their causes, a LOCK, and they didn't get it.

-----
my progressive political cartoon
http://www.webcomicsnation.com/neillisst

[thefloyd]

18. I second the fucking brilliant if Reid's true

intent was dividing conservatives even more. Honestly, In my amateur opinion,4 or 5 years ago the GOP was unified no matter what the issue. Now it seems like conservatives are becoming single issue groups under one tent much like the Democractic party has been for so long. I am just speculating.

[Bumblebee]

2. I think it's the former +

the former because he knew it would split the base; + because he figured that even in the worst-case scenario she is probably not as bad as Owen et al (I think she actually is because she will just follow Scalia and Thomas in everything). Plus he supported her nomination and not her confirmation so he can change his mind once he learns more. He probably thought it was a win-win suggestion -- and he may have been right, judging by the rw reaction.

[blondeatlast]

6. Notice how only Dobson is making statements, not Fallertson.

Robertson and Falwell appaear to be in the inner circle, which I attribute to their membership in the Heritage Foundation.

I don't think Dobson actually gets the memoes--at least not the inner-inner circle ones.

[enlightenment]

3. Here's the auto-reply he sent to me on the subject.

I was furious about his support -- wrote a scathing letter, and told him that he'd lost my support (I live in NV). You'd think they would have an auto-reply for "voter who threatens to withdraw support in next election" but apparently not. Typical.
One can only hope that he has a plan -- but I doubt it.
-------------------
Dear :

Thank you for contacting me regarding the President's nomination of
Harriet Miers to the U.S. Supreme Court. I appreciate hearing your views on this subject.

On October 3, 2005, President Bush announced that he had nominated White House Counsel Harriet Miers to fill the seat vacated by retiring Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. While I will not make a judgment until hearings on the nomination occur, I was generally pleased by the nomination. As White House Counsel, she has always worked with me in a courteous and professional manner. I am also impressed with the fact that she was a trailblazer for women as managing partner of a major Dallas law firm and as the first woman president of the Texas Bar Association.

In my view, the Supreme Court would benefit from the addition of a justice who has real experience as a practicing lawyer and who would bring a different and useful perspective to the Court. I am heartened that the President agrees.

I look forward to the Judiciary Committee hearings, which will help the American people to learn more about Harriet Miers and to help the Senate determine whether she deserves a lifetime seat on the Supreme Court. I understand the tremendous influence the Supreme Court wields over many aspects of American life. You may be assured that I will review all testimony and documents carefully and keep the views of my constituents in mind as the confirmation process moves forward.

Again, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. For more information about my work for Nevada, my role in the United States Senate Leadership, or to subscribe to regular e-mail updates on the issues that interest you, please visit my Web site at http://reid.senate.gov. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

[win_in_06]

16. Courteous and Professional?

I'm am tired of hearing platitudes used as justification for a SCOTUS nomination.

We get enough of this from Bush.

[Kahuna]

4. My thoughts on Mier and the Dem response is that the Dems will lose

credibility with the cronyism charge, if they approve the ultimate *crony to the SCOTUS. So whether they think she is a nice harmless woman, they must weigh very carefully the pros and cons of embracing this crony.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

5. They won't approve. Open question if enough Repub to get out of committee

And if she gets out of committee, open question if enough Republicans will vote for her on the floor.

[Bumblebee]

14. and for the Dems it's a much better outcome than having

to filibuster and thus provoke the nuclear option. Then if he nominates a real, known, hard-core conservative, people like Specter, Snowe, Chafee and perhaps 4-5 more won't have the stomach to confirm either, esp now that B is probably in the twenties among their constituents -- so it will get very interesting.

[thefloyd]

21. Good points

Reid definitely threw the gavel in their court.

[ochazuke]

8. That's right

Hell, they would lose credibility as an opposition party.

[Neil Lisst]

19. Harriet Miers has been Bush's personal colostomy bag

Knowing she's been Bush's personal colostomy bag just makes her too low in my eyes to be worthy of the Supreme Court.

Put another way, what kind of self-respecting person would do that?

-----
my progressive political cartoon
http://www.webcomicsnation.com/neillisst

[thefloyd]

20. I am not so sure Democrats will

loose any traction in the Cronyism charge with approving Mier. Unlike Brownie's law degree Mier's will come in handy. I am not sure what credentials the Constitution requires for a supreme court nominee...Probablity just the ability to interpret the law.

[blondeatlast]

7. Reid knows this has enough stamina to last through Repub fundraisiing,

IMHO.

The base appears to be quite vociferously split on Miers.
The fdundies and the lassez-faire (true conservative) factions are veruy much at odds.

I see this as a last-ditch power struggle in the Repubs to wrest control from the wingnut fundie faction, and I think Reid knows it too.

Either way, if it draws out the claws on both sides, I LIKE IT!

Pass the popcorn, please.

[msongs]

9. Reid's first loyalty is to the Mormon Church, not democrats. nt

Msongs
www.msongs.com/political-shirts.htm

[Punkingal]

10. Bingo!!!!

Being a Nevadan, I know that is so true about Harry!

[McCamy Taylor]

11. Meirs is not "career SCOTUS" material. The Dems will replace her soon.

Meirs has a short term assignment, overturn convictions of WH staff and squelch subpoenas of WH documents. Once her job is done, there is a strong chance she will resign and go back to doing what she likes to do---taking care of W.

Compare this to another Roberts, who will haunt the court for 30 years with his conservative mission, and I would say that Reid did the right thing in endorsing her.

THIS is the real reason the conservatives are hopping mad though they can not say it, because to say it would be to admit the unadmissable---their man's administration is morally corrupt.

[Geek_Girl]

13. Good Point

Her age would suggest she won't be sitting on the bench very long.

[Geek_Girl]

12. I think Reid is supporting her

to add fuel to the fire. By him giving his approval, makes the religious right even more infuriated and seem like Bush is caving into the dems. Reid is pretty shrewd IMHO.

[Bumblebee]

15. I agree. The utmost insult as felt by the conservatives is that

B. listened to (and was suckered by) Reid.