Best of the Web Today - October 27, 2005
By JAMES TARANTO
Scotus Interruptus
Harriet Miers has withdrawn as a nominee for the Supreme Court, and Charles Krauthammer, in a column Friday, nailed the "exit strategy." As CNN reports:
The White House said Miers had to withdraw over concerns that senators wanted documents of privileged discussions between the president and his top lawyer.
"It is clear that senators would not be satisfied until they gained access to internal documents concerning advice provided during her tenure at the White House--disclosures that would undermine a president's ability to receive candid counsel," [President] Bush said.
In her withdrawal letter (link in PDF), Miers writes: "Protection of the prerogatives of the Executive Branch and continued pursuit of my confirmation are in tension. I have decided that seeking my confirmation should yield." National Review Online quotes Leonard Leo of the Federalist Society, who salutes Miers for her selflessness:
In withdrawing her nomination, Harriet Miers showed great courage and loyalty to the country, putting the interests of the Presidency ahead of what had to be a very strong desire to defend her judicial philosophy and credentials before the United States Senate. When she accepted the nomination to the High Court, Harriet Miers invited us to consider the Framers' vision of the limited role of the judiciary. I look forward to the nomination of another judicial conservative who shares the President's philosophy that the role of courts is to interpret the law rather than make it up.
Miers writes the president: "I share your commitment to appointing judges with a conservative legal philosophy." The president has a wealth of excellent candidates to choose from: Edith Jones, Janice Rogers Brown, Michael Luttig, J. Harvie Wilkinson, Michael McConnell, Viet Dinh, Christopher Cox and many more. (Apologies to those whose names we've left out.) No wonder the so-called People for the American Way are apoplectic:
Harriet Miers' withdrawal from her Supreme Court nomination demonstrates that ultraconservatives are so determined to swing the Supreme Court sharply to the right that they pounded their own president's nominee into submission, and now demand a nominee with unquestioned far-right credentials, said Ralph G. Neas, President of People For the American Way.
"It's an astonishing spectacle. The unelected power-brokers of the far right have forced the withdrawal of President Bush's own Supreme Court nominee, before a confirmation hearing has even been held. President Bush's complete capitulation to the far-right interest groups is astounding. The ultra-right wing dominance of Republican Party politics is complete, and they have dealt a terrible blow to an already weakened President and his administration," said Neas.
Think about this: A far-left extremist like Ralph Neas is upset that a woman who we've been assured is "pro-life" will not end up on the Supreme Court. Blogger Derek Catsam puts things in perspective:
Those liberals who are rubbing their hands in glee over the withdrawal of Herriet Miers probably ought to be a lot more circumspect. This is a victory for competence, to be sure, but only by happenstance. The real winners here are those on the Christian conservative right. My prediction: Bush is going to appoint a doctrinaire but highly qualified conservative now. Oddly, if no indictments come down [in the Plame kerfuffle], this might go down as one of the unexpectedly victorious days for this teflon presidency, the day when he starts to turn the corner.
Reuters reports we should know tomorrow whether the grand jury hands up any indictments. Stay tuned.
Smoke 'Em While Hugh Got 'Em
"Hewitt Has to Swallow Smoking Climbdown"--headline, Financial Times, Oct. 26
"I think Ms. Miers has been unfairly treated by many who have for years urged fair treatment of judicial nominees. She deserves great thanks for her significant service to the country. She and the president deserved much better from his allies."--HughHewitt.com, Oct. 27
Strange Bedfellows
The New York Times reports that Jeanine Pirro, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in New York, has received an unlikely endorsement--and probably an unwelcome one:
Cindy Sheehan, who has crusaded nationally against the war in Iraq since her son was killed there, called on antiwar activists yesterday not to support Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is seeking re-election next year. "I believe that any candidate who supports the war should not receive our support," Ms. Sheehan told The Associated Press in an interview. "It doesn't matter if they're Senator Clinton or whoever."
Meanwhile, the Salt Lake Tribune has a wonderful quote from First Lt. Bruce Bishop, a 31-year-old fireman, who explains that he plans to re-enlist in the Utah National Guard "because as I look around at the state of this nation and see all of the weak little pampered candy-asses that are whining about this or protesting that, I'd be afraid to leave the fate of this nation entirely up to them."
Go Stereotype Yourself!
Portland's Oregonian reports on a hilarious (though slightly sad) case of political correctness run amok:
When John Lee designed the logo for his Cedar Mill restaurant, he opted for an illustrated cartoon he thought resembled himself: a Korean man.
But that logo, which depicts an Asian man waving an "OK" sign, is now at the center of a conflict between Lee and Sunset High School's student-run newspaper.
Last week, editors of "The Scroll" banned Lee's advertisement for the Hawaiian Grill after running it once, saying his logo stereotypes Asians and negatively portrays members of a minority group.
Radio host Lars Larson has posted the logo on his Web site.
What Would We Do Without Dating Experts?
"Dating experts say that while there is no ready data on the subject, the cars we drive--the way we talk about and showcase those vehicles and the way we perceive the vehicles of others--can play subtle roles in the courtship process. Arguably, the experts say, single people are more influenced by cars than they often admit."--New York Times, Oct. 26
He Takes Fashion Very Seriously
"Bill Will Punish Lawyers in Frivolous Suit"--headline, Associated Press, Oct. 27
Since When Do We Have to Ask Them for Permission?
"Robots May Allow Surgery in Space"--headline, Associated Press, Oct. 26
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
"Gabriel Says State Will Go Ahead With Prairie Dog Poisoning"--headline, Aberdeen (S.D.) News, Oct. 26
If He Could Program a VCR, He Was Overqualified Anyway
"City Water Chief Retires After Taping Episode"--headline, Columbia (Mo.) Daily Tribune, Oct. 26
News Update From the 20th Century
"Militant Palestinian Leader Shot Dead in Malta 10 Years Ago"--headline, MaltaMedia.com, Oct. 26
Bottom Story of the Day
"Girl's Death in China Not From Bird Flu"--headline, United Press International, Oct. 27
Jimmy W. Carter
"President Carter's eldest son, Jack, is fueling hopes that Democrats can knock off first-termer Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) next year," reports the Hill. Among the young Carter's qualifications:
o He was discharged from the Navy in 1970 for drug use.
o He used to run a grain elevator business, which, according to columnst Jane Ann Morrison, "closed."
o He spent seven years trading commodities in the tax haven of Bermuda.
We're tempted to scoff, but we'll resist the urge. After all, underachieving sons of one-term presidents have been known to accomplish great things in American politics. |
