So it has been announced that our President has selected Harriet Miers to replace the sometimes Conservative Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. As the Wall Street Journal reports Miers has no judicial experience, has a short paper trail, has a successful career in law, but never faced the US Supreme Court, was the President’s personal lawyer in Texas and her first job in DC was White House staff secretary.

Wait a minute, she used to be the top secretary and has worked her way up to the US Supreme Court? Now does that sound like a super-promotion, above and beyond what would be considered normal or what? Sure she’s been a good lawyer, but she is not the most qualified and respected in her field. She is no John Roberts when it comes to her skills and reputation in the legal field. I’m sure we are going to hear how great a role “White House staff secretary” is now. I’m sure it will be played up to be the 2nd best thing to being on the high court 😕 .

Bottom line, she was a Bush insider that got the job via being inside the network. She was heading the search team for the next Justice, but being such a great cheerleader for Bush’s proposals she was selected for the job. There is some good in that despite my criticism. Bush probably has a good idea how she will rule in cases. That’s a good thing. But was she just cheering on the boss or does she have a proven record of being in the mold of Justices Scalia and Thomas? With a short paper trail we don’t really know. We’ll have to trust the President’s judgement I guess. But she does not stand out as the most qualified. I would have preferred that the President select someone that is a long time outspoken Conservative So what if Liberals would hate them. And he should have selected someone that would have been respected as possibly the most qualified for the position. I think he should have put up a fight for someone like Janice Rogers Brown, Priscilla Owens or Miguel Estrada (if he was willing to take the heat this time)!

Well lets pray for the best. Cause she’s the pick now and if she gets in we’ll have to live with her decisions for a very long time. I hope she’s a real Conservative and not a “swing vote Justice”.

update (10/3/2005 3:52PM ET): A bit of possibly good news. Miers urged the American Bar Association to back away from their pro-let babies be killed stance.

update (10/3/2005 6:19PM ET): Pat Buchanan has authored an excellent piece about this nomination.

Again I say pray for the best. At this point I don’t think we have any other options. Personally I am not for the Senate rejecting someone simply because they may not be of the same political point of view. The President should have his pick unless they are unfit in the sense of not being able to think coherently.

Pat said it well in saying:

But I must say, that now is not just the President’s only hope for greatness, but also our only hope of maintaining a respectable Republic!