That's my take as of now.
Here's my reasoning.
Bush said she is a pitbull in size six shoes. But pitbulls are notorious for biting the hands that feed it. That isn't going to happen here. She's more lapdog in size six shoes. After all, according to former Bush speechwriter and biographer David Frum Miers said Bush was the "most brilliant man she had ever met." (More on this in the Update [2005-10-7 12:2:54 by agentcooper]: below)
We all know that Miers has been Bush's personal and professional lawyer since the earl 90's. Yet Bush said that he doesn't recall ever asking her stand on abortion.
I don't buy that for a second. I know almost all my friends' position on abortion. In fact I know many of my coworkers' position on abortion. I find it very unlikely that Bush, one of the most political and conniving politicians of our time, doesn't know her position on abortion and most other hot button issue for that matter. I submit that he knows her exact position and that is why he nominated her. She'll be Bush's pocket justice.
more below
There has been a lot of hand wringing by the right-wing over Miers nomination. From George Will to Gary Bauer there is lot of disappointment over it. But we don't know anything about her. That is, one, the reason for the right-wing's anger, and two, a major point of
her nomination.
On Thursday's Countdown with Keith Olberman Pat Buchanan said conservatives were counting on "the promise of the great battle". I'm not sure if he was suggesting that the right-wing really wants a scrum over the nomination, I think it was more Biblical analogy on our philosophy vs. theirs. They can't afford that fight and they'd likely lose, too. But they want their red-meat for their slavish devotion and they have no idea if Miers is their reparations because there is no paper trail. (The side story here, of course, is the hypocrisy displayed by the right-wing: they ridiculed the left for wanting to know, or at least have a good idea by virtue of a paper trail, what side a nominee would fall on if confronted with a certain issue, but now they are up in arms for not having that very paper trail for the very same reason we want one! Why hasn't this been pointed out in the SCLM?)
I'm betting she is their red-meat. Bush was actually fortunate to have had so many battles over his past picks. This gave him cover. He is using the appearance of being in a position of weakness to his advantage. This allowed him to pick a nominee where only he is privy to their view. Do you really think he cares if he appears weak? So long as he gets his way. He's not running for office again, he only cares about hijacking the supreme court of the future right now. Robert's, while a hardcore conservative, was likely too honorable to play ball and fess up to how he'd vote on abortion, for instance. Miers is a team player. She's been carrying Bush's water for almost 12 years now.
After the nomination James Dobson, among other conservatives, was critical and opposed her. But over the weekend Rove et. al. "worked over" Dobson and is now on board. What did Rove tell him? Dobson isn't saying:
Some of what I know I am not at liberty to talk about
I suspect that Dobson, and probably a coterie of Bush sycophants, crucial supporters for any of Bush's social demolition, were told explicitly that Miers would, at first opportunity, overturn Roe v. Wade. Presto! Right-wing machine is getting on board. Yes, the right-wing infighting hurts them right now but I suspect as the word gets circulated on super-secret background about her real positions they'll all be willing to pull this horse into Troy.
Update [2005-10-7 12:2:54 by agentcooper]:
Reports the LA Times:
"She took the pill. She said: 'I'm yours,' " said a longtime GOP strategist in Texas who has worked with Bush and Miers, speaking on condition of anonymity.
"She put her personal life, everything, on hold."
While the article is clear to point out that it may be difficult to pin down her positions because of dramatic shifts that occurred throughout her life and tidbits such as this
On gay and lesbian issues, Miers at one point said homosexuals deserved the same civil rights as straight people and argued that Dallas should fund AIDS education projects. More recently, she has been deeply involved at Valley View Christian Church, which embraces the social policies of the religious right.
While that first part sounds good to us (and horrific for the wingnuts) it's illustrates a devolution of views (becasue of her association with the Bush cabal?). I think the overriding concern with her is this:
But she now speaks openly of her devotion to Bush, whom one associate said she considers a "genius."
That doesn't sound like Frum is the source so there are two people on record now that claim that Miers thinks Bush is the be-all-end-all. This
alone should disqualify her from the bench! The more I learn the more me no likey this lapdog in size six shoes