A Pox On Both Your Houses

Blogging on Redstate.org in regards to the Miers nomination Pejman Yousefzadeh emphatically stated that "the White House has thoroughly botched the mechanics of her [Ms. Mier’s] nomination". This sentiment is widely held throughout the country and in many ways it is correct.

The White House’s attempts at propping up the nominee have been weak and ineffective. We have heard little, if anything about Ms. Mier’s work in the White House the past four and a half years, only the constant recitation of some of her firsts in Texas and the fact that she is a devout evangelical Christian. All interesting facts to know but otherwise irrelevant to her judicial temperament or ability.

It has also slipped out that Ms. Miers really wasn’t the first choice but the replacement for the nominee who opted out at the last minute. Such a revelation can work in no way except to the detriment of Ms. Miers confirmation prospects and her credibility should she be confirmed. The last thing she needs through this whole ordeal is the label of "second choice" hanging over her head like a dark storm cloud.

Equally at fault though have been national conservatives. They have opposed Ms. Miers nomination from the start, rising in righteous indignation with the certainty that they have once again been betrayed by a Republican president. In fact, the tone and volume of conservative reaction has been such that one can sense conservatives were just waiting to be betrayed and are now indulging themselves in self-pity now that their expectations have come to fruition.

This reaction has been knee-jerk. Maybe Ms. Miers will be a terrible disappointment; another O’Connor perhaps. But at the very least she deserves a chance to prove herself, both in her hearings and once she reaches the Supreme Court. In the interest of fairness conservatives should cease this gnashing of teeth for at least five minutes and wait to pass judgment.

The White House has done Ms. Miers few favors since her nomination, but the conservative movement has convicted her a failure in the court of public opinion without the benefit of a fair trial. Ms. Miers has been done a great inservice by all involved in the process.