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Harriet Miers Submits Questionnaire

By Jeralyn, Section Harriet Miers
Posted on Tue Oct 18, 2005 at 09:46:00 AM EST
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Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers has submitted her questionnaire.

In 1989, she pledged support for the Human Life Amendment.

The abortion issue hangs over Miers' nomination much as it did over the appointment of Chief Justice John Roberts earlier this year. The situations are different, however — Roberts replaced the late William Rehnquist, who voted to overturn the 1973 abortion ruling. Miers would succeed retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who has voted to uphold it.

"A candidate taking a political position in the course of a campaign is different from the role of a judge making a ruling in the judicial process." said Jim Dyke, a White House spokesman.

In interviews with Senators, she has denied telling anyone how she would vote on Roe v. Wade.

"She said nobody knows my views on Roe v. Wade. Nobody can speak for me on Roe v. Wade," said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., on Monday, referring to the case that guaranteed women's constitutional right to an abortion, setting a legal precedent that abortion foes have been trying to overturn ever since.

In the questionnaire that she turned in the Judiciary Committee, Miers answered "no" to questions asking whether anyone during the nomination process discussed specific cases or legal issues with her to get an assurance on her positions. She also answered "no" to whether she told anyone how she might rule if confirmed.

Will this appease the radical right, engender opposition from the Left, or both? My view: Anyone Bush nominates is going to be pro-life. He won the election, he gets to pick, within reason. There is zero chance he will pick someone who is pro-choice. We still don't know that Miers will vote to overturn Roe v. Wade. I'm not willing to make abortion the sole litmus test. There are a lot of other important issues the Supreme Court rules on. I want to know more, and I think we will when her hearings begin.

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    Harriet Miers Submits Questionnaire | 6 comments (6 topical)
    Re: Harriet Miers Submits Questionnaire (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:06 PM EST
    Will there be a gasp of surprise from anyone when she votes to overturn it? Come on!

    Re: Harriet Miers Submits Questionnaire (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:06 PM EST
    Not necessarily a bad thing, if she believes that a constitutional amendment is required to invalidate Roe V Wade (i.e., the Constitution as it stands now, in her view, affirms the right to an abortion).

    Re: Harriet Miers Submits Questionnaire (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:06 PM EST
    Well, that settles that. I was fairly certain she was anti-choice, and quite likely anti-cure. This confirms the former, and lends support to the latter.

    Re: Harriet Miers Submits Questionnaire (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:06 PM EST
    of course we'll need clarification during the hearings

    Re: Harriet Miers Submits Questionnaire (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:07 PM EST
    "In interviews with Senators, she has denied telling anyone how she would vote on Roe v. Wade." You mean she didn't destroy her candidacy by being honest? That's not very surprising. Better run tell Dobson. Denials are only needed until you get the job. Then you can lie and promise the proof 'later,' and eventually you can just lie and grin. Isn't there an epidemic of truth? Americans are tired of so much truth. It's time to be BOLD for lies.

    Re: Harriet Miers Submits Questionnaire (none / 0) (#6)
    by squeaky on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:05:16 PM EST
    Oops..looks like someone got caught sniffing.
    ...'We're not discussing pulling out her nomination, but if we were to, do you have any advice as to how we should do it?' "a Conservative Republican with ties to the White House told The Washington Times..... But the conservative political consultant said that he had received such a query from Sara Taylor, director of the Office of White House Political Affairs. Miss Taylor denied making any such calls.
    Armando

    Harriet Miers Submits Questionnaire | 6 comments (6 topical)