A Virginia Liberal

I didn’t say anything about Roberts because no one really did. He came out as basically a conservative and fairly backward about civil rights issues. He was, however, replacing Rehnquist, so we liberals will be happy if that’s all he’s backwards about. Oddly enough, Bush waited until he was replacing a swing voter to pull out his really conservative candidate.

Aside from looking like John Cleese in drag, what’s the problem with this woman? Well, I googled her name, and I the first hit (I usually Feel Lucky) was a white house transcript of her fielding questions. So, about this time last year (later on in October) she stated this:

“Additionally, with victories in Afghanistan and in the toppling of Saddam Hussein in Iraq and other efforts around the world, we are promoting freedom and democracy in the greater Middle East as well as elsewhere.” And “So, James, as you can tell, I think we are much better off than we were four years ago.”

That quote is as good of an example as I could give of her supporting the war in Iraq. By that time last year, no unbiased or even mildly biased reporter thought Iraq was a good idea. All throughout the transcript, she issues other died-in-the-wool statements, such as:

“Environmentally responsible development of the resources in ANWR (Artic National Wildlife Reserve) is one part of the President’s comprehensive energy plan, which calls for a responsible mix of increased domestic energy production (like ANWR and clean coal), alternative and renewable fuels (like ethanol and biodiesel), and conservation and efficiency to reduce the growth of American energy consumption. The President’s plan is essential to increasing America’s energy security.”

“As for the flu vaccine shortage, every effort is being made to ensure that those Americans with the greatest need (the elderly, young children, and the chronically ill) have access to the flu vaccine.” (Remember, last year the flu season was a bit of a problem because of too few vaccines available).

And “His Jobs for the 21st Century Initiative is building on the success of the No Child Left Behind education reforms so that American workers have the skills they need to compete with anyone in the world. The President’s tax relief has created incentives for firms to grow and expand. The future of the American economy depends on making America the best place in the world to do business by making the President’s tax cuts permanent, lowering the costs of health care, reducing the burden of frivolous lawsuits and unnecessary regulation, opening new markets for American goods and services, and adopting a comprehensive energy policy.”

Though No Child Left Behind is under no definition a “success”, and neither is Bush’s “Jobs for the 21st Century Initiative”.

Now, admittedly she’s no Lee Atwater when it comes to lying, but these statements show that Harriet Miers isexactly what nobody (claims) to want in a Supreme Court Justice-an ideologue. Every answer in her entire transcript (which you can find at http://www.whitehouse.gov/ask/20041029.html) ) is straight from the book Bush White House standard. And why not? This woman has been contributing and working, in a big way, with Bush’s campaigns since the Texas Governor spot was his. The woman works directly under Karl Rove and has no record of anything otherwise.

And Harriet Miers would is perfectly suited there-she is a conservative ideologue and propogandist. I don’t fault her for her answers above, because they are standard Bush doctrine. However, I simply cannot imagine that anyone except the most terrified Republicans will support this nominee. The woman is an ideologue, and everything Cheif Justice Roberts said he was not and advocated against. I hope no one else supports her, either.