October 10, 2005
Time to Root for Harriet
When I was going to college I had a friend named Sutor who lived in the room next door and was one of the guys that hung around with my friends and me. Sutor was a quiet guy, soft-spoken, and perhaps a bit idiosyncratic. He was very spiritual and knowledgeable about philosophy -- he once went to India for a month to study Hindu culture. He was also an unfortunate sole who always appeared to be the victim of misfortune -- from his various health problems to his uncanny ability to get stranded in Buffalo by snowstorms. Sutor is a truly great guy but he was not a ladies man and one year when the formal dinner dance rolled around, someone made the comment, perhaps it was me, I don't recall, that "even Sutor" had a date and was going to the dance. Rightfully so, Sutor objected to this comment, and for the first time in my life, I realized how important it was to stand back and try to listen to the conversation from the perspective of the other guy. We all loved the guy and were extremely happy that Sutor had a date; but we didn't really grasp the impact of what we were saying when we said "even Sutor". From that point on, "even Sutor" jokes became a regular part of our conversations. At the time I thought little of this; however it wasn't until much later that I truly appreciated what we were saying and I wondered what must Sutor have thought about all of this. Learning how to look at life from the perspective of the "other guy" is one of life's invaluable lessons.
I have used this lesson in life many, many times since my college days; however, it rarely has been as applicable as it is now given the nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court. Yes I am a conservative and a strong supporter of our President and yes I too am disappointed in the selection of Harriet Miers. But as I am reminded of my friend Sutor, I have to ask, I wonder what she is thinking about all of this?
Perhaps the President has made a mistake. Perhaps Harriet is the wrong choice for the Court. But can anyone argue that W has not given us great drama? How will she do in front of the Judiciary Committee? What are her views? Will Republicans support her? What will the Democrats do? Will the nomination succeed? Will she withdraw? Will Bush withdraw the nomination? How will she adjudicate if she is confirmed? Who will Bush pick if she isn't confirmed?
And here's the beautiful part of all this: Nobody knows. Except her.
Whether you like Harriet Miers or not, you must admit that this is going to be an exciting confirmation hearing. And given how this past week has gone, how can you not root for Harriet herself? Forget about Bush and what this means to his presidency and forget about the Democrats and Republicans in Senate and what it means to them. It seems impossible to me to not want to get behind Harriet and root for her. And her alone. You have to wonder what she must be thinking?
George Will says Miers would never make the Top 100 list from each of the Top 100 experts on constitutional law. Charles Krauthammer used some fancy footwork to imply that she was a "joke". Krauthammer even says that Miers will shine in the confirmation hearings because expectations have been set so low. In other words, "even Miers" will do well in the hearings. Bill Kristol says her nomination is a mistake. She doesn't have the "intellectual distinction". He implies that her nomination is an "error" because Karl Rove has been distracted by the Plame kerfuffle. Mark Levin says the "President flinched". David Frum says " ... she is not good enough for the job". Then finally, of course, there is Ann Coulter:
Even Maureen Dowd gets it. She said this on Saturday:
You have to wonder what Harriet herself thinks of all of this. And you can't but help root for her no matter what you think about anything else. As a conservative who is focused on defeating the Left, I really don't know what to think about Harriet Miers being on the Supreme Court. But as someone who loves a good story about a great underdog, I wish her the best.
Harriet, you go girl!
I have used this lesson in life many, many times since my college days; however, it rarely has been as applicable as it is now given the nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court. Yes I am a conservative and a strong supporter of our President and yes I too am disappointed in the selection of Harriet Miers. But as I am reminded of my friend Sutor, I have to ask, I wonder what she is thinking about all of this?
Perhaps the President has made a mistake. Perhaps Harriet is the wrong choice for the Court. But can anyone argue that W has not given us great drama? How will she do in front of the Judiciary Committee? What are her views? Will Republicans support her? What will the Democrats do? Will the nomination succeed? Will she withdraw? Will Bush withdraw the nomination? How will she adjudicate if she is confirmed? Who will Bush pick if she isn't confirmed?
And here's the beautiful part of all this: Nobody knows. Except her.
Whether you like Harriet Miers or not, you must admit that this is going to be an exciting confirmation hearing. And given how this past week has gone, how can you not root for Harriet herself? Forget about Bush and what this means to his presidency and forget about the Democrats and Republicans in Senate and what it means to them. It seems impossible to me to not want to get behind Harriet and root for her. And her alone. You have to wonder what she must be thinking?
George Will says Miers would never make the Top 100 list from each of the Top 100 experts on constitutional law. Charles Krauthammer used some fancy footwork to imply that she was a "joke". Krauthammer even says that Miers will shine in the confirmation hearings because expectations have been set so low. In other words, "even Miers" will do well in the hearings. Bill Kristol says her nomination is a mistake. She doesn't have the "intellectual distinction". He implies that her nomination is an "error" because Karl Rove has been distracted by the Plame kerfuffle. Mark Levin says the "President flinched". David Frum says " ... she is not good enough for the job". Then finally, of course, there is Ann Coulter:
"Unfortunately for Bush, he could nominate his Scottish terrier Barney, andPerhaps all these pundits are right, but do they hear themselves talking and do they read what they write?
some conservatives would rush to defend him, claiming to be in possession of
secret information convincing them that the pooch is a true conservative and
listing Barney's many virtues — loyalty, courage, never jumps on the furniture
... "
Even Maureen Dowd gets it. She said this on Saturday:
"Even if she was going to be a loyal conservative jurist before, why should sheSo it appears that the stage has been set for a classic battle and an epic drama. Will the left allow Miers to "waltz" onto the Court, as Hugh Hewitt says. Will she become another Thomas, causing a meltdown on the left? Will she become another Souter, causing a meltdown on the right? I have to laugh when I google the words "even Souter" and it shows up on so many conservative and right-wing websites. I guess to some conservatives "even Souter" is not as bad as Harriet.
be now, after all the loathsome things they've said?"
You have to wonder what Harriet herself thinks of all of this. And you can't but help root for her no matter what you think about anything else. As a conservative who is focused on defeating the Left, I really don't know what to think about Harriet Miers being on the Supreme Court. But as someone who loves a good story about a great underdog, I wish her the best.
Harriet, you go girl!
