[Cross posted originally at
LJ's Blogorific]
Well, as many predicted as early as last November, the Republican party has split into two groups. There's the "invade-your-bedroom, flat-earther, religious-American-Taliban, fundie-right-wingers," and then there is the "Corporatist-Fascist, tax-dodging, poor-folk-hating, we-hate-the-new-deal, conservatives."
And it all begin early Monday morning, October 3, 2005, with the announcement of Bush lawyer and loyalist, Harriet Miers.
(below the crease.)
I'm not even sure where to go with this Supreme Court nomination. The cons seem livid about Bush "flinching" in a fight against the Dems. Senate Minority Leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, and Senior Senator from New York, Chuck Schumer have come out to praise the Harriet Miers nomination. Still other Senators like Pat Leahy of Vermont and many liberal and progressive groups have reservations about Ms. Miers.
Then my cynical self began to wonder if this wasn't a political maneuver by the White House. His ratings are in the dumps and he can't seem to find a boogie man to defer attention from his failures. So maybe this is his way to try to flip this on the Dems. Here's how;
Bush puts out an unqualified, inexperienced, cronyistic private lawyer as his nomination. Now he knows he's going to piss off the American Taliban with this pick, but is willing to put up with a little flack, banking on the Democrats to be so appalled by the lack of qualifications and cronyism, that they would be forced to filibuster Ms. Miers. And you can bet your bottom dollar that many republicans would have no problem with that.
But why all of that? So, Bush then gets to pick some right wing whacko for the court. Now the Dems would be forced to try to filibuster a second SCOTUS pick in a row. Hell, he might throw a third nomination equally as extreme as the second.
By this time, the fundies are all in love with Bush again, and he is their genius hero. The lying right wing corporate media plays the "obstructionist" card on the Dems, and polls begin to shift back towards the bad guys.
This plan might have worked if it wasn't for the sheerer genius of Senators Reid and Schumer. These guys suspecting foul play, immediately endorse Harriet Miers as a good candidate for the SCOTUS. BOOOOM! The plan backfired.
I believe that although Reid and Schumer fake endorsed Ms. Miers, knowing that the Republican'ts would not vote for her without an opposition filibuster. What does this all mean?
I don't believe Harriet Miers will be confirmed. I believe that 30-33 Democrats will vote against her and 20-25 Republican'ts will vote against her too after a hell of a confirmation hearing.
Bush and the Republican Party are cooked.