SCOTUS Pick Open Thread

Soon to be announced in the next few minutes: Harriet Ellan Miers.

Who?

She's the current White House counsel. Other than that, we don't know much. So I offer this thread up as a vehicle for speculation, discussing, and some ranting.

As with K-Lo at National Review Online, my first reax is "ugh." After the stellar resume (and modest paper trail) of Roberts, this is what we get? Clearly, Bush knows a helluva lot more than we do about her, but he's the only one. The usual suspects will write in her name in the blanks and issue the press releases, but that doesn't mean much.

I await more discussion of her, but at this point, this is a Super Souter, Super Stealth pick, or alternatively, Bush's legacy in a dress. She better show her colors real quickly if she is confirmed, or midterms and the next presidential election will not be pretty for the R's -- this is unlikely to be a pick to excite the base in the slightest.

What if Karl Rove is a Genius? Update:

Clearly, from his day to day contacts, Bush knows a lot more about Miers than nearly anyone else, and is confident in her soundness. She also appears to be intensely loyal to Bush. This also means that this knowledge will not come out in a paper trail to give the D's ammunition. Bush just got a stellar intellect with enough firepower to wage many judicial wars confirmed as the new C.J. So what if this is the calculus - Miers is steady, conservative and intensely loyal to W, and will be the steadfast supporter of Roberts? Plausible. Only time will tell.

Is it because I'm a lesbian? Update: One of the more, um, interesting reax from GayPatriot. :)

More Reactions (courtesy of Doc Symes)

Hugh Hewitt: Solid B+

Willaim Kristol: Disappointed, depressed and demoralized.

Confirm Them: Hey, she donates money to Dems!

Lawrence Simon: Frisky, Nardo, Piper? No Like!

K-Lo: Everyone demoralized. 'Kool and the Gang' sends me message?

David Frum: An 'unforced error' (and I worked with her).

Leonard Leo: Well, I like her (and I worked with her too).

The Anchoress: Chill, people. Miers = Derek Jeter

[the Supremes needs an overrated, underfielding shortstop?]

Beldar: Miers no 'Blank Slate' to W

Rich Lowry: Bush penumbra: 'Trust us'

CS&W: Long in the tooth and bad gams

Lorie Byrd: Breathe, everyone. Okay?

Michael Luttig: Finest legal mind since Tammy Fay Baker

RedState: Dissappointing abdication of responsibility

Mickey Kaus: The Stockholm Syndrome Nominee

Fred Barnes: Bush satisfied Miers will experience stunted "growth."

posted by Harry Callahan at 07:48 AM

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