Since Harry Reid took over, there has been a shift. With all due respect to Tom Daschle, a fine and decent man, Reid has that backdoor maneuvering ability, perhaps learned through dealing with mobsters in Nevada, that is needed in the Senate. "The Horse Whisperer" was the one who brought Jeffords over a few years ago, and the slide of the Republican party can almost be pegged to the day he took over.
Which makes me wonder if the sly old Fox didn't lay a trap with his Miers suggestion, a trap to divide the Republican Party, internally, as well as the Senate and House from the President. A trap to force Republicans to go on record on issues they would rather not deal with, and to draw attention to Administration Policy over the last five years. A trap that Bush just walked into.
Miers hearing is going to be a field day for direct attacks not only on the current administration, but on Republican Policy. She held Karl Rove's position prior to Karl, and so is on the record on nearly every administration decision since day one, including all of the Iraq planning. Given that she has no judicial record, all of this will be fair game in determining her judicial philosophy.
The Right will go nuts for her inconsistent, somewhat backing equal rights for gays, and favoring the advancement of women and minorities rights. Not to mention supporting Gore and Bensen way back when. They are and will continue to be be angry at not getting the Scalia or Thomas they were promised, and will likely have their hate on display during the hearings.
The Left have her dead to rights on the Abortion issue, as well as affiliation with the Valley View Christian Church will provide plenty of ammo.
And the undecided will hear over and over how she is another "Brownie" with no experience appointed only as a friend of the president, who basically was Karl Rovette for the last 5 years.
In short, it is a choice no one likes, and may allow for a coalition of the dissatisfied from all sides to block her. If not block, at the very least with the coming Plamegate indictments, having a legal advisor to the President in hearings will certainly give a back door opening to a Senate Investigation into what legal advice she provided in these matters...
Reid is covered for making the recommendation. The attacks from the left on Miers will be for her stance on Abortion and Gun Control, two issues that Reid separates himself from the rest of the party from. Reid will say he was only speaking for himself, point to his record on these issues.
The hearings would come out right as the anticipated Fitzgerald indictments arrive. What better time to have an Administration insider on the hot seat, with subpoena power.
Harry, you sly dog.