The master of low expectations has struck again. Today Bush nominated his close friend and confidant, White House Counsel Harriet Miers, to replace Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court.
What do I mean about the master of low expectations? Bush drove all our expectations down last July when he nominated yet another white male to replace the first female Justice ever to serve on the court, thereby cutting the number of women serving in half.
This time around, I'm sure many people are so relieved that it's at least a woman nominated to replace O'Connor that they already see this nomination in a more positive light than they did the Roberts nomination. Even I was relieved in the first moment of reaction to see that another woman had been nominated, regardless of her views. Two is certainly a bare minimum of female Justices, a number the court should never again go below.
But, truly, we're seeing the Bush team in action here again. Make sure the people expect nothing and then, when you give them the tiniest fraction more than nothing, they think it's a victory. They've been doing this since before the 2000 election and it's worked wonders for them most of the time, I'm sorry to say.
It already sounds like certain Senate Democrats are lining up to confirm Miers. It was reported today that Senator Harry Reid, the Senate Minority Leader, 'likes' Miers and in fact had recommended her to Bush as a candidate to replace O'Connor.
Of course, Harry Reid is hardly who I'd look to for advice on a good Supreme Court nominee. He's an anti-choice centrist.
John Roberts had a record that he deflected with personal charm while refusing to answer most questions. Harriet Miers has never served in a Judicial capacity and probably has a lot less of a paper trail to indicate her positions on crucial issues.
Stories have already come out saying the Conservatives are angry at Bush for picking Miers, saying her views are unknown and she could be pro-abortion or pro-any other of the right's bogeyman issues. Of course, Conservatives were going to be angry if Bush picked anyone even a fraction to the left of Justices Scalia and Thomas. But it's doubtful he did.
No one seems to know for sure what Miers' take on important issues like abortion, civil rights and gay rights are. But c'mon. This is a close personal friend and trusted adviser of George W. Bush. Is she likely to prove a moderate on the court?
So far we already know that when she was President of the Texas State Bar, she tried to get the American Bar Association to change its position endorsing the Roe v Wade Supreme Court decision.
Does that mean she'll be anti-choice once she's on the Court? No one can say for sure. But it's not a good sign.
The Democrats need to take their time with this nomination, make sure they sound Miers out and go over all available documents. Just because she's a woman doesn't make her another O'Connor, and this is the crucial 'swing vote' we've all been talking about for the last three months.
With what Reid said today, though, I fear that Miers is all but confirmed in the minds of many Centrist Democrats, barring any surprises. I'm so sick of seeing them roll over so Bush can rub their tummies! But we shouldn't be surprised. They just stand for more toned down versions of what he stands for, after all.
We need some real liberals to come to Congress and start kicking ass, people!
Anyway, it was a busy day for me here. I've wanted to blog about Miers since this morning, and this was my first chance.
On a completely different note, I have to say that I really enjoyed Rebecca's picture post celebrating Paul Walker's nips! Truly, a woman after my own heart! Paul Walker was once just the sort of blond pretty boy I lusted after back in the She's All That/Varsity Blues days, but he's matured into a sort of rugged sex appeal, less pretty and blond, that still earns him a spot in the top ten on my Celebrities I'd Fuck list! Mr. Walker would look even better with a bit of chest hair, I might add. He's already got a sexy treasure trail that I'd LOVE to follow.
See, even when things are looking down, you can always take a moment to enjoy some healthy, old fashioned lust for some celebrity beefcake!
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