I don't have any problem with the Democrats sitting back, prior to the hearings for Harriet Miers' nomination to the Supreme Court, and enjoying the show put on by the Republicans. But I don't want to see them, at this point,
actively defending her,
especially on competence grounds.
Harriet Miers is not an appropriate nominee for the Supreme Court, no matter how she might vote. And if Dems, after sensing that she might become a Souter, want to vote for her later, they can come up with excuses for her lack of qualifications then. But there's absolutely no reason to jump into the game yet, and plenty of reasons to hold back.
I am a Christian, and I know many, many people who have had late-in-life conversions and who are passionate about it. I am happy for them and many lead wonderful, giving lives. However, I am extremely worried about a nominee who has that personal passion and no significant experience with constitutional law. I'm even more worried about someone who has assured the President that she has a particular view of consitutional debate, when she has little to no experience in that arena, and who may have only her own personal faith to call upon -- or the views of more forceful Justices -- when deciding cases.
This is a bad nomination from a President who has a reputation for misguided loyalty and crony appointments to important jobs. Democrats should say so, or say nothing at all. Republicans can self-destruct on this one all on their own, for now.