Bush not likely to withdraw Miers: Reuters

[2952-0-0]

By Jackie Frank
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Leading Republican and Democratic senators said on Sunday they do not expect President George W. Bush to withdraw Harriet Miers' U.S. Supreme Court nomination despite fierce criticism of her by conservatives and liberals.

"I haven't seen anything coming from the White House that says that they're going to pull this nomination," said Kansas Republican Sen. Sam Brownback, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, on "Fox News Sunday."

Democratic committee member Charles Schumer of New York said on NBC's "Meet the Press" that he was skeptical her name would be taken down as a replacement for retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

"George Bush, say whatever else you want about him, does not back away from a fight. If he were to withdraw the nomination, it would be a stunning defeat," Schumer said.

Lawmakers across the political spectrum have raised questions about her qualifications and the lack of public information about her views on divisive issues such as abortion and civil rights, all of which are likely to come before the court.

Conservatives say they fear she lacks the clout to move the Supreme Court to the right on social issues, while Democrats question the White House counsel's legal credentials and accused Bush of cronyism.

Pennsylvania Republican Sen. Arlen Specter, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said he remained noncommittal on his vote for Miers. "No senator that I have talked to has come down and made up his or her mind."

"I believe the critical part's going to be when she testifies before the committee ... . If she makes her case, she can be confirmed," he said on CBS's "Face the Nation."

Specter, who last week ordered her to more fully explain her answers in a questionnaire submitted to the panel, has set hearings for November 7.

'WHAT DID COME ACROSS HER DESK?'

Schumer said possibly only two of the committee's members have said they would vote for her.
"If you were to hold the vote today, she would not get a majority, either in the Judiciary Committee or on the (Senate) floor," he told NBC.

Two key Republican conservatives, Brownback and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, have asked for internal White House documents that could shed light on Miers' views.

"This is what we need to know -- what did come across her desk?" Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California said on CBS in urging the White House to elaborate on Miers' role in developing the administration's legal policies.

The requests have raised questions about whether the Bush administration would invoke its executive privilege to keep secret documents related to its internal thinking on issues likely to come before the high court.

White House spokeswoman Jeanie Mamo, asked about a report in the Washington Times that the White House was making contingency plans for the withdrawal of Miers, responded: "Absolutely not."

"We are fully committed to her confirmation and look forward to her confirmation," Mamo said, in response to comments suggesting the White House was not fighting vigorously enough on Miers's behalf.

Miers was to continue meeting with senators this week.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

good, I want to see her make an utter fool of herself at the hearings.

[Jake]

He'll withdraw her if the hearings go badly. Bush has made a few bad blunders, but even if Rove has to break out of jail to make him, Bush will not let it go to a negative vote.

[AuH2O]

Well, there is zero chance she would be allowed to lose in the full Senate. But they might let her lose in committee if they aren't sure of the outcome beforehand.

[Moooooo]

http://www.withdrawmiers.org/