Bush's Supreme Court Nominee Faces Tough Questions Amidst Outrage

Strategic Insights -

President Bush's Supreme Court nominee, Harriet Miers, faces intense scrutiny as she prepares for confirmation hearings amidst concerns over her ability to provide a paper trail of her opinions and advice to the president. Despite Bush's dismissing questions about Miers' background and decisions as a "distraction," Senate Judiciary Committee members are determined to press her on key issues, including her role in shaping administration policy on interrogations, interrogating enemy combatants, and her involvement in a grand jury investigation of whether top White House officials illegally disclosed the identity of CIA operative Valerie Plame.

Key Takeaways:

  • Miers' background and decisions will be a key focus during her confirmation hearings, with questions surrounding her role in shaping administration policy and her involvement in key decisions.
  • Miers' reluctance to share her advice to the president and her limited experience in the public sector have raised concerns among Senate Judiciary Committee members about her ability to provide a paper trail of her opinions.
  • Miers has received praise from Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada, which may have hurt her with Republicans.
  • Despite the praise, Miers' confirmation is still uncertain, with conservative Republicans on the Judiciary Committee expressing concerns about her lack of a proven track record.

Statistics:

  • Miers has been in her position as White House counsel for more than 5 years, during which time she has been in a position to monitor and influence important decisions, including the president's choices for judicial nominations.
  • Miers has been reluctant to share her advice to the president, saying in an interview with USA TODAY last year, "I wouldn't want to discuss any conversation I had with the president."
  • The Judiciary Committee has access to far fewer documents related to Miers' time as White House counsel and staff secretary than were available for the confirmation hearings of Chief Justice John Roberts.
  • The Senate Judiciary Committee has H.R. 810 on their calendar, which Sen. Graham (D-SC) co-sponsored with Sen. Harkin (D-IA), an amendment to ban degrading treatment of prisoners.

Sources:

  • "DNC memo"
  • Interview with Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.
  • Interview with Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah
  • Statement by Sam Brownback of Kansas
  • Electronic newsletter by Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council
  • Interview with USA TODAY
  • Reuters photo captions

References:

  • Democratic National Committee Memo Released Tuesday
  • USA TODAY Interview with Harriet Miers
  • Reuters Photos