Harriet Miers withdraws Supreme Court nomination

[TheWebHead]

AP WASHINGTON - Harriet Miers withdrew her nomination to be a Supreme Court justice Thursday in the face of stiff opposition and mounting criticism about her qualifications.

http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/news/politics/13010797.htm

[malaise]

1. Bubye

now bring on the real fun - Filibuster time

[Pirate Smile]

6. They are going to nominate a complete wingnut to try to rally the

conservatives and Republicans to support BushCo after the indictments come down and to try to change the subject.

[AlinPA]

45. Probably Priscilla Owen or someone from that extreme RW ilk. n/t

[jaded_at_best]

124. this has been KKKarl's plan

from the beginning. The real Nazi nominee was chosen ages ago and they'll announce it to muffle the noise from the indictments.

[eyepaddle]

204. That's always been my suspicion, kinda like

the way you get something out of your parents is to ask for something else first.

However, I now kinda doubt this is the case. What if the right wing had remained silent and Miers had sailed through Bushco would've felt awfully foolish passing up the opportunity to get who they want. Plus, getting a nominee shot down just looks WEAK and these guys don't like to appear weak.

In short I don't think it was planned.

Of course, planned or not they most likely will go with some nazi hardliner.

[Demeter]

148. They Aren't Going To Have A Second Chance

Fitgerald will take all the oxygen out of their balloon. They'll be so busy covering asses that there will be no second nomination. The Forces of Evil have not only lost control of the spin cycle, they're also being hung out to dry!

[electropop]

176. That's what I think.

They desperately wanted Miers in there, to keep W's soft white butt out of jail. Now they are in big trouble.

[readmoreoften]

221. yeah, but if they wanted it that desperately...

why pull the nomination? So what if they piss off the far RW. If it was really about covering his ass, he'd do it. He has no more elections to contend with. He either wanted Miers because he's half-retarded or he was plotting to have conservatives freak so that he could say ALRIGHT ALRIGHT-- see how much I listen to you guys! I'm your candidate! I do as you say!

If it wasn't a strategy, it's because he's retarded.

[henslee]

189. Republicans worried about 2006 races are gonna have to think twice

before backing a neocon fave.

[fishwax]

193. yeah, I hope you're right

:D

[ryanmuegge]

216. The supply-side corporate agenda never sleeps.

They will get the fascist they want on the Supreme Court, I assure you. I'm looking for it to be the corporatist they wanted all along: Janice Brown. They will do what they want, whenever they want, as long as they're in power. Thankfully, the public seem to be less supportive than they were in the post-9/11-treat-this-retard-with-kid's-gloves phase.

[DrZeeLit]

210. Yep. Beware the next one.... sorta like Halloweeeeeen is coming. n/t

[Rose Siding]

44. Here's a link- AP: Miers Withdraws Supreme Court Nomination

WASHINGTON -- Harriet Miers withdrew her nomination to be a Supreme Court justice Thursday in the face of stiff opposition and mounting criticism about her qualifications.

Bush said he reluctantly accepted her decision to withdraw, after weeks of insisting that he did not want her to step down. He blamed her withdrawal on calls in the Senate for the release of internal White House documents that the administration has insisted were protected by executive privilege.

"It is clear that senators would not be satisfied until they gained access to internal documents concerning advice provided during her tenure at the White House _ disclosures that would undermine a president's ability to receive candid counsel," Bush said. "Harriet Miers' decision demonstrates her deep respect for this essential aspect of the constitutional separation of powers _ and confirms my deep respect and admiration for her."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/27/AR2005102700549.html

[Tatiana]

144. Score one for Harry Reid!

He blamed her withdrawal on calls in the Senate for the release of internal White House documents that the administration has insisted were protected by executive privilege.

"It is clear that senators would not be satisfied until they gained access to internal documents concerning advice provided during her tenure at the White House _ disclosures that would undermine a president's ability to receive candid counsel," Bush said.

Harry played that one quite nicely. No one in the corporate media ever talked about the importance of what those WH documents might contain. Harriet didn't have a prayer of becoming a SCJ. Ever.

[beltanefauve]

229. I still haven't figured out

why Harry so highly recommended Harrie for SCJ to Bush, and, if so, why Bush acquiesced. Or was that all just urban legend?

[Tatiana]

240. It was a trap.

Reid recommended Harriet because the Dems would:

A) get access to documents that would nail this neo-con regime to the proverbial wall; Harriet would certainly not be confirmed after providing evidence of her service to cover up such corruption

B) fracture the Republican/Conservative base who would NEVER support such a liberal SCJ; Harriet would certainly get voted down by Republicans themselves (no chance to blame Dems for "obstruction")

C) Dems can have fun playing the "vote up or down" mantra Republicans were shouting. This would be especially demoralizing for an already weakened Bush - a Republican majority would be "voting down" the Republican pResident's nominee.

Bush agreed, likely, because Harriet was his personal lawyer. She could provide some protection if any of the treason/espionage charges against his administration resulted in convictions and were appealed all the way to the SC.

[cosmicdot]

243. Harriet Miers ... "a liberal SCJ" ?... I don't buy that ...

if this charade had played out ... Harriet would have done the bidding for Smirk, corporate america, and the right-wingers ... I don't care what she's spoke, said, wrote or dreamt about ... she would've been another Trojan Horse like Roberts ... these people are radically inspired ideologues - this mission of many decades is coming to fruition (stolen power albeit)

- get access to documents - that didn't happen
- fracture the Republican/Conservative base who would NEVER support such a liberal SCJ -- one, she's no liberal; two, they're not fractured; I doubt a vote would've happened on her nomination
- fun playing the "vote up or down" won't be much fun when that base is behind the next appointment 100%
- Bu$h doesn't need Harriet to do his bidding; the bench is deep to fill that Bu$h v. Gore 5 to 4 slot ... the rightwing Federalist Society have plotted this play for years.


I suspect the potential of calling to testify Lawrence Littwin http://www.kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4031809&nav=1TjD (which might have brought up the whole National Guard thing again) might have been an issue ... but, it's also a clue. They knew all about this background ... they have it all thought out.

We know their MO by now to know how they connive, plot, bully, steal, propagandize, etc. ... why would anyone think this time is any different?

I conjecture that they're on script ... I don't believe one second Rove is deviating from the agenda ...

they showed Harry the list of right-wingers, plus Harriet Miers' name ... Harry says "I like Harriet" and many Democrats think: wow, Harry's a genius ... how did he know so fast of all of Harriet's past and baggage? I'm impressed if knew Harriet like we know Harriet today. Many fell for the list: 'did you see the other names ... OMG' that's not part of the tom-foolery??

I saw Harry Reid's genius on the up down vote farce ... that yielded several extremists on the Fed bench ... well done ...these having already been pre-empted-ly 'approved' by the Senate ... what's going to be the Democrat's excuse for not RE-APPROVING one of them should they be the nominee??

I wish someone else was Dem Senate leader.

Too many Democrats voted for Roberts to give me hope. Guess they're still in denial about Florida 2000 to concern themselves with Roberts' role there.

I do believe that someone should call for a moratorium on anymore Bu$h life-time appointments ... especially if indictments come down.

True the Republicans have problems with Abramoff, DeLay, Frist, and Fitzmas ... but, these are ruthless people. That Supreme Court seat is the cherry on the sundae. It overrides imo any personality.


I hope I'm way off base, and that you're spot on.

[muriel_volestrangler]

149. Let's complete Bush's quote for him

"Harriet Miers' decision demonstrates her deep respect for this essential aspect of the constitutional separation of powers _ and confirms my deep respect and admiration for her, and my total inability to grasp the constitutional separation of powers - that's why I nominated her in the first place."

[belle]

156. Aw, sorry George, you can't have your nanny on the SCOTUS. Boo hoo.

Who you gonna pick next? Mom?

[Dulcinea]

198. She'd never have made it out of the confirmation hearings.

This was her only way out before being exposed to the world as the most underqualified justice wannabe since Clarence Thomas.

Now who's gonna change Boy George's Pull-Ups?

[dryan]

163. My 2 cents....

Bush cannot use "executive privilege" after what the GOP pulled on Clinton. This nomination was a mistake from the get go!

[gulliver]

199. Yep, they used the exact pretext everyone thought they would too.

Getting mighty predictable these Bushies.

[ananda]

2. Isn't that precious...

.. and convenient.

Just another wmd, weapon of mass distraction.

Sue

[AngryAmish]

3. MSNBC also

we destroyed her. This is a great day for DU.

[Pirate Smile]

12. No, the Conservatives destroyed her.

[Zynx]

21. Harry Reid destroyed her. He played that beautifully.

[RDANGELO]

56. I think you are both right

Reed recommended her, knowing that it would be a bad selection, and that *bush might make it. Now shrub has to make another selection within the whirlwind of the Plame fiasco. The Dems in the Senate should be emboldened; the shrub is weakened.

[Darknyte7]

63. Here here!!!

Beautiful play indeed...

[depakid]

226. LOL!

It never ceases to amaze me what some people will say to try to rationalize that man's failures.

[Zynx]

231. Harry Reid has been the most effective minority leader in a long time.

He has managed, with 45 Democrats, some of whom are conservatives, to block major portions of the Bush agenda while Bush has imploded.

[depakid]

236. you HAVE to be kidding me

Harry Reid has the worst record of any minority leader in history! bar none.

He's lost every single battle- most without so much as a fight and even crossed over party lines to vote with the Republicans on the bankruptcy bill!

He allowed three of the most extreme judges ever to be nominated a lifetime appointment to the federal bench after the Republicans called his bluff!

Name 1 thing he's ever done to deny the far right anything? You can't, because he hasn't. Shit, he would have rolled over on this nomination too.

I never thought I'd be pining for Daschle, but compared with this loser, Dascle's Joe Louis.

[Zynx]

237. Harry Reid beat Bush on Social Security.

That was the most significant political fight in a long time and we won it thanks to a united Senate opposition. I'm not sure you quite realize the significance of that and I would also like to see what would have happened with Tom Daschle having only 44 Democratic senators.

[depakid]

241. The Republicans never even introduced a bill!

There wasn't anything for the Dems to try to beat!

Point is, everything they're introduced- every nominee they put forward has passed. No filibusters, very little debate- and Dems (including Reid) have actually been voting for some of these outrages.

That's not showing very much leadership. Look at what Bob Dole did in 93-95 with only 41 votes.

[Spurt]

26. Disagree

She was killed by lack of rebub support.

[sinkingfeeling]

65. I don't think it was the Dems who accomplished this. It was the

ripping apart of Bush's base and infighting amongst the GOP that brought her down.

[belle]

173. It was. I wonder whether Reid did have this possibility in mind. If so,

I am relieved at finally having a crafty bastard on the team; we needed one. That's not just hardball; that's chess playing, something the current administration doesn't get at all. They can't see more than one move ahead, ever.

Support for that theory depends on his having weighed all the options; after all, there was always the possibility that she would have gone through, after all, and then we'd be stuck with her. So I suppose it's possible that he also figured she'd be one of the least worst options if we did get saddled with her; and that meanwhile she might just make trouble for Bush, who'd of course be attracted to the idea of having one of his groupies in the SCOTUS. (The one way to get Bush to do anything, it seems to me, is to convince him that there'd be narcissistic supply in it for him. If Reid was playing that, then he *is* smart, and thank God for it).

[Cary]

191. This is an excellent point.

They are incredibly un-strategic. Why haven't the Dems been able to capitalize on that?

[sofa king]

209. I think Harry planned it.

I think, but cannot prove, that Harriet Miers was appointed the Indian affairs "expert" on Shrub's campaign staff in early 2000. Even if she wasn't the unnamed point person who never returned anyone's calls back then, Miers was probably the closest thing to an expert on Indian law on the campaign, by virtue of her wanting to destroy the sovereignty of Texas tribes which dared to compete for her state's lottery income. Late in the game here, about a week ago, the White House marching orders included the plan to fluff up Miers' Indian affairs "expertise."

I also think, but cannot prove, that Harriet Miers was in the room when Jack Abramoff met privately with the President.

This I know for sure: Harry Reid, by virtue of his position on the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, was in an excellent position to hear the same stories and rumors I heard back in 2000. He is also privy to the evidence collected in the SCIA's hearings about Jack Abramoff.

When faced with questions about these two issues before the Senate, Miers would almost certainly have to feign no recollection, or worse, lie about what she knows. Telling the truth may well have advanced the cases of several ongoing investigations.

Thus Harriet presented a unique opportunity for the Democrats. Not only is she so unqualified that not even the bible thumpers could read a position on her, but she may well have found it necessary to perjur herself before the Senate just to get the job... which would provide ammunition for her impeachment in less terrible times. I'm pretty sure Harry knew that when he recommended her.

Now I'm sorry we didn't get her under oath.

[Kber]

4. That'll knock the indictments out of the headlines

nice timing Harriet.

[babylonsister]

10. No chance! Indictments will be the cherry on top! nt

[AlinPA]

49. DeLay and Frist will be the 2nd course dessert.

[DoYouEverWonder]

19. Miers will be ancient history

once indictments come down.

Couldn't happen to a nicer witch.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

25. Lay off the prejudice against pagans, please.

Don't get confused with bigots.

[druidity33]

151. witches

Thanks for saying it Bernardo... i would think in this day and age people would have more respect for earth based religions, especially on this site. I guess old habits die hard, and Disney like generalisations rule the roost whatever side of the coin you're on. Personally i'd marry/elect/trust a witch over a fundie any day of the week!!!

[apnu]

168. Welcome to DU!

the place where everybody's religion gets stepped on.

On any given day, you can hear somebody bitching about someone else insulting 'their' religion. In particular, I like it when the Christian persecution squad comes out. Cracks me up every time.

(edited for spelling)

[Danger Duck]

178. I have no respect

for any religion. That aside, Miers withdrawal is going to allow the Administration two chances to distract and divert from the Plame case. The first will be the coverage now-between today and the end of the week. And once they announce the newby, who will be a minority and a scary right winger, the incitements will be buried in the back of the bus. And if all else fails, maybe some co-ed will disappear in Panama City ,and they can focus all their attention on that for awhile.

[Dark]

206. Or they could just have Janet Jackson Strip on Nickelodeon. n/t

[Sequoia]

195. Welcome druidity33: Take a look!!

A little off the Miers but I ran across this website regarding pagan celebrations in Belarus:

"Kupalle is the most loved and cherished pagan holiday in contemporary Belarus. It is a hedonistic summer celebration of fertility in the name of a female God - Kupala. It seems like she is considered a lunar Goddess by some pagan sources, although direct translation of the name is "She Who Bathes". Lately it was renamed into a Christian celebration of a male saint - Ivan Kupala."

Just like those jerks to change it into a "man".

"Back to the Pagan Woods: Increasing numbers are turning their backs on traditional faiths to dance in the forest and roll in the morning dew. By Ruslan Gagua in Pinsk, South Belarus (BRS No. 11, 03-Apr-03) Mermaids, house-elves and werewolves may be the stuff of fantasy for many people, but for some Belarusians, they are vibrant and real, there to be worshipped and revered by those who reach out to them through paganism. "Amazing creatures live right next to us; we've simply lost touch with them because we destroy nature like barbarians. But if we change our attitude, we'll be able to talk to the mermaids and wood-goblins again," said Tatiana Kormanovich, a student from the southern Belarus town of Pinsk. Kormanvich is one of many Belarusians who have turned their backs on the country's traditional faiths to practice pre-Christian rituals. "

Snip

"Paganism is a religion of strong people who are willing to give life for their motherland. But the Russian Orthodox Church is like a prostitute: it sells itself and its believers to whoever pays the most," worker Yuri Bokhan from Pinsk told IWPR. Understandably, the increase in paganism's popularity has caused concern within the Orthodox Church. "Paganism is very dangerous," Father Vasiliy, an Orthodox priest from Pinsk, told IWPR. "People are destroying themselves with this fad; they don't realise they are falling prey to the devil. "

<snip>

http://www.iwpr.net/archive/brs/brs_11_3_eng.txt

Yeah, right pal.

[druidity33]

213. good stuff

Thanks for the welcome... my first! As for paganism, yikes, there are so many diverse traditions and lots of money making scammers out there, but i still believe that an earth based faith can be the only one for me. As an acolyte druid (bard) my primary "religious" goals are to learn a thousand songs, and a thousand stories. Also included is to learn herblore (ie. how to identify/pick/use natural medicinals). All of this learning is locally based (druids were often associated with the specific areas they dwelled in, kinda like judges in a county seat). Being a bioregionalist this calling is ideally suited to me... especially since Sunday church for me is a walk in the woods. BTW, the acolyte stage traditionally takes 30 years... about 5 yrs in right now and know over a hundred stories...
Thanks for the link on Belarus, have friends in Finland right now (russian friends) who have talked about seeing faeries and elves... and these are very NORMAL looking people... so i think maybe it's pretty common there to have "folkways"...
anyway, peace out.

y gwir yn ercyn cyd
druish/welsh motto
the truth against the world

[Sequoia]

217. That's great.

I wouldn't mind seeing one of those "little people".

[mermaid]

218. Disagree...

most of the time, people who call others "witches" really want to call them BITCHES, and are just being polite enough not to SAY it.

But I do agree...why give witches a bad rap? Most Pagans (witches) are actually pretty decent folks. Seems to me the basic fundamental of Pagan (Wiccan) religions is the famous Do Unto Others...and karma...which is something the Christian faith has forgotten, or never practiced in the first place, in spite of being admonished to within their own Bible!

Christians have been too worried about upholding their narrow-minded DOGMA, to worry about following the admonishments about spreading good KARMA.

[CTyankee]

24. Maybe not

This is no surprise. It's been talked about for days and days now. Most people expected it and it was just a matter of time. Just about everybody has moved on...

[rodeodance]

99. Schumer said a few days ago that Miers did not have the votes.

[OneForLuck]

31. It may be just the opposite...

I think the timing here is very suspicious... when the indictments come down they will absolutely be the top story. While I don't think this story will get buried, I think it will get a lot less attention than it should!!

[JNelson6563]

5. haha A major defeat for Jr., there's blood in the water

*Jaws theme music*

[Rowdyboy]

7. So now we get a young right-winger who'll be on the court for 40 years...

Instead of an aging mediocrity, we get a young rightwing superstar, and the Republican base is thrilled.

"Be care what you ask for, you may get it..."

[calmblueocean]

14. Exactly.

Get ready for someone ten times worse than Harriet.

[Lochloosa]

36. I disagree....after the indictments * will be so badly damaged

that he will have to name a moderate. I don't think he will have a choice. Besides, Rove won't be there to stir the pot...

[spooky3]

39. I hope you're right. The moderate Repubs will need to pressure the WH.

[Rowdyboy]

58. I'm afraid you underestimate the loyalty of Senate Republicans.....

Why would they balk when Bush gives them what they want? So they have to go nuclear and destroy the filibuster. Thats what they wanted all along.

And they make their base happy too.

[Lochloosa]

73. No one except the NeoCons will want to have anything to do with

*. They do have to run for reelection.

[Rowdyboy]

79. I wish I shared your optimism....I think the chance Bush picks a moderate

are between slim and none. Why would he pass up this opportunity to stick it to Democrats and energize his nutcase base?

[carolinalady]

101. I totally agree-Everybody and their brother has been telling him

he will not survive these scandals if he loses his base. He will play to his base. I do not see how anyone here can be happy about this. First of all as long as she was a candidate, he was in really deep s**t with the Repukes and secondly, I believe she would have been more moderate than the next candidate will be. Now the Repukes will use this to reorganize their party and they WILL PASS whomever Jerry Falwell, Dobson. Robertson. et.al. want them to.

[Pepper32]

126. I agree, these fuckers are like a Cat 3 getting ready to reorganize

This is bad news. Miers was destroying his base now they will see this as an opportunity to "get back on track."

[readmoreoften]

222. Yes, I concur.

Our greatest hope was that asswipe. She would be too batty and uneducated to sway the other SCOTUS. Miers didn't come off confident, knowledgeable, or respectable. That's how I want my conservatives-- easily dismissed.

Now we're gonna get screwed with some complete loony strict-constructionist. Even if Miers said she was a strict constructionist, I don't buy that she would really know what it meant when she decided.

[Danger Duck]

181. A moderate

will not happen. We're going top get a frankenjustice, from the days of yore. Bush doesn't care about the people that want moderates. He cares about the base. And if he makes them happy, everyone else will eventually become happy.

[Bacchus39]

205. totally agree

the conservatives were opposing this nomination. the Republicans were the ones that put the nomination in doubt. Now undoubtedly there will be a staunchly conservative jurist nominated.

[sufrommich]

130. I agree

He has no choice but to deliver a right wing judicial "star" and GOP senators who fear losing their very vocal base will insist he get it right this time.Hopefully there is enough GOP senators from purple states afraid of the poll numbers and a filibuster will work.It will get ugly.That's for sure.(edited to erase repeat sentence)

[CityDem]

215. No chance on a moderate

Bush lost the support of his conservative base with Miers and will nominate a right winger to reclaim his base. He will need the right wing base when the indictments are announced tomorrow. Expect the worst nominee possible -- Miers may not have been so bad after all.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

40. Yeah, that's what people don't understand.

We're just going to wind up with another Roberts now, if pattern follows. Meaning, someone likely to be uber conservative, but sans paper trail with which to use against (meaning, no chance of filibuster).

[Rowdyboy]

72. I think he'll go HARD right, hoping to provoke a filibuster.....

knowing that they can defeat it by going nuclear and ramming his new choice down our throats.

That would motivate their base like nothing else.

[fishwax]

194. but if indictments do come down, will he have the capital to

combat a filibuster? Maybe not. That might work in our favor too.

[Bacchus39]

207. it will be the Repubs in Congress that push the envelope

the reason she withdrew was because of conservative opposition not the Democratic opposition.

[readmoreoften]

223. Watch how Fox News becomes all filibuster, all the time...

And then they'll have on some small spun mention of the indictments.

[Rowdyboy]

232. I'm just afraid Republicans will circle the wagons and try to save his

worthless ass. As little as they respect Bush, they LOVE power and won't allow him to sink just to save themselves.

It will definitely be interesting.

[Democat]

125. You are right!

Things are going to get worse, not better.

[Barrett808]

203. That's assuming Bush wil be capable of making more appointments

He may implode like a supernova when Rove goes away. Anybody with eyes can see the Chimpereor's anger seething just under the surface. He may do something monumentally stupid at a press conference that will essentially end his term three years early.

Let's just hope he doesn't go for the nuclear football in a moment of madness.

[Rowdyboy]

235. All they need to replace Rove is a good animal trainer....

available at any zoo...



As to the question of the nuclear football...

[Solly Mack]

8. Miers says in a letter to Bush

"(my nomination) presents a burden for the Whitehouse and is not in the best interests of the country"

CNN reading excerpts from her letter.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

32. PS: You're still the coolest............I love you. n/t

[Solly Mack]

37. ROFLMAO. You gotta know she signed it that way.

LOLOLOLOLOL

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

The woman in "Misery" comes to mind for some reason.

[complain jane]

182. LOL

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

9. A hack to the end...

said that her confirmation process might not be in the administration's best interest -- not that having a unqualified presidential sycophant on the court would not be in the best interest of the country.

[TheCowsCameHome]

11. Let the games begin.................

US 1, Dubya 0

[Blaq Dem]

38. Not so fast. Next nominee will be a bitch!

It's going to get ugly. The next person Bush will nominate will likely be a Scalia/Thomas look-a-like.

[rodeodance]

103. I think you are right on.

[meow2u3]

155. Next nominee will be far worse

He or she will make Scalia and Thomas look like moderates by comparison.

Preferably, he'll nominate a judge with an extensive pre-pardon criminal record. That's Bush's ideal judge: a right-wing Nazi pardoned criminal.

[Carni]

13. What's with the blond Whitehouse reporter on CNN?

Is she just winded from running around or is she really shocked by this? She acts like she's in some type of frenzy of excitement.
It seemed sort of odd.

[Liberal Dose]

48. Maybe someone replaced her Xanax with caffeine pills. She does seem a bit

excited. I'd even go so far as to say titillated. :D

[Carni]

68. I know and as far as I am concerned this is not a stunning surprise

I fully expected that moran to withdraw at some point (since day one I expected that)

I can't help but wonder if those documents the house wanted regarding Miers dealings with the Whitehouse are full of damning info tied to Plamegate, or 911, the stolen election(s)or something?

[Liberal Dose]

92. Definitely neither stunning or a surprise. Why the shocked act by the

talking heads? Harriet did clearly state that she was upset over having to hand over documents and also explain her job in the WH.

[Zynx]

15. Hah! I win the bet with a friend of mine!

I said, "She doesn't have the look of a Supreme Court Justice.". They said, "That's superstitious nonsense." I guess it wasn't. It was just a gut feeling when I saw her on TV rather than just hearing about her in concept. Of course, more recent news made this pretty obvious.

[jasmeel]

152. The eyeliner ruled her out for me...

O8)

[BooScout]

16. Timing is everything....

We get her withdrawal this morning and we get indictments this afternoon. Hmmmmm.

[Maddy McCall]

23. When was it announced that indictments will be announced this afternoon?

[BooScout]

77. I'm speculating .........so is everyone else.....

This is shaping up to be a very nice day.:evilgrin:

[KSLeftyMom]

150. Totally OT

But I freakin love your frog. He made my day.

[Maddy McCall]

153. Welcome to DU, LeftyMom!

:toast:

Yeah, he needs a teeth cleaning, but I think he's a cute frog. :D

[Pepper32]

84. Indictments this afternoon? Says who? Nevermind

[BooScout]

90. Sheeeeesh....

I'm just gloating .......ya'll don't need to get go ballistic over a little hope here folks.:eyes: Half the MSM is saying the indictments are going to be handed down today.

[LSK]

133. she failed to meet a deadline by the senate last night

If you fail to do your homework, sometimes you have to drop the class.

[Maddy McCall]

17. Will the evil that we don't know be more evil than the one we do know?

Am concerned about who's going to be nominated next.

[MaineDem]

I completely share your concern

Bush is pissed and he will now try for a truly conservative judge. Like Priscilla Owen or her ilk.

I'm afaiad the next nominee will be a VERY right wing person and the fight will be over issues and not over cronyism or lack of judicial experience.

[Maddy McCall]

54. Yes. Exactly.

[MaineDem]

89. OMG, what if he nominates Ashcroft???

That horrible thought just crossed my mind.

I really think we have a big concern with this next nominee.

[Democat]

140. He is older than Miers

They will probably go for someone younger.

[adigal]

172. I think Bush is pissed at the right wing loonies

and will nominate a very qualified MODERATE to stick it to the right wingers who pissed on his friend. Let them try to trash another nominee.
Remember - Bush is nothing if not spiteful. And I bet Laura is pissed at the wingnuts too.

I think, no matter who Bush nominates, it is good for our side that the right wing destroyed this nominee. What happened to "No litmus test," and "up or down vote"? The wingnuts have just shown themselves to America to be the complete and total phony idealogues they truly are.

[SharonRB]

174. I totally agree with you

Personallly, I think there's a good chance he (or someone with a brain) planned this from the beginning. She was a red herring. He knew she'd never get confirmed and plans to nominate someone far worse for our side than she was. This may actually be much better news for the far right than for us. Be careful what we wish for.

And he timed it perfectly -- the day before the indictments come down. I don't believe for a second * and Miers weren't in cahoots and planned this from the start. Come on, no one really believes this is a coincidence, do they?

[zbird]

18. Pay no attention to Fitzmas and those "technicality" indictments!

The real important thing is that those nasty liberals (and a whole lot of conservatives, but we won't go there) made a perfectly qualified SCOTUS nominee withdraw! :sarcasm:

[baldguy]

62. .

[spooky3]

20. local news here said NBC will make a special report--now it's on

[spooky3]

33. the reason given is that Cong. will be demanding documents

that she doesn't think they should have--confidential advice to President. "It's not in the best interest of the country" etc. Reporter is now saying nomination under fire from the beginning and problems exist with her abortion stance.

"This is a serious setback" for the President.

[mtnester]

22. Called it - here's my post from yesterday

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1878890&mesg_id=1879319

Note the parenthesis that said she will not be the one.

I believe my scenario is exactly what the scenario was supposed to be, as planned by soon to be indicted Karl Rove.

[Catfight]

75. Interesting comments, maybe you're right but I'm going for Owens.

I think bush has an open road to make his base ecstatic with an ultra right wing conservative that will forever move the court in our lifetime to the right. It's our punishment for allowing an appointed president to ruin our democratic state. It sucks but it's true.

[DS1]

27. Bwaahhah!

Too bad really, she's the smartest Bushie yet! :D

[The Witch]

28. Rec #5

holy crapoly.

[carolinalady]

29. I wish it would not have happened yet. I was enjoying the

neocon civil war.
:cry:

[Blaq Dem]

30. She was hurting Bush's approval ratings

Harriet was like a big log weighing down on Bush's ratings. Especially with indictments over the CIA leak looming.

The wisest thing she's done so far was to step aside.

[htuttle]

34. (Cue trombone)

Bwaa-bwaaaaaaah!

[underpants]

50. Bah bah BABAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

Price is Right's "oh sorry no that was wrong" sound effect

[meganmonkey]

35. Hahahahahahahahahahahaaa!

Hahahahahahahahahahahaaa! :rofl: Hahahahahahahahahahahaaa! :rofl: Hahahahahahahahahahahaaa! :rofl: Hahahahahahahahahahahaaa! :rofl:

[Liberal Dose]

41. Harriet has served her purpose as temporary smokescreen. Now she can

slither back to the planet Fucktard, where Bush is considered brilliant, and mascara is worn only when the female is ready to mate. :dunce:

[jayfish]

42. CNN Headline: President Bush "reluctantly"...

accepts Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers's request to withdraw her nomination." Reluctantly my ass! Can't these creatures be honest just one, single time?

Jay

[Canuckistanian]

74. Well, this isn't exactly good news for Shrub

Here's another failure under his belt. Only this time it was his base that handed him his ass.

It also left a lot of his supporters scratching their heads. Maybe even turned a few against him.

The damage has already been done.

[Rosie1223]

43. Well, the WH is going to need some defense attorneys...

Now HM will be available. She was Bush's personal attorney remember.

Rosie

[spooky3]

55. good point!

[Canuckistanian]

81. Hope she remembered to renew her license

And remembered to send a check with the envelope, too!
Not exactly detail oriented, this one...

[Polemonium]

164. Fortunately she's not terribly qualified for that either

O happy days

[highplainsdem]

46. The quote from the letter read on C-SPAN blames only the senators

who wanted to see her WH papers. Of course they can't put the blame where it actually belongs, on the conservatives who rebelled.

[chelsea0011]

47. But she was the best candidate and the top lawyer in the USA

What will happen? I'm so scared.:scared: :scared: :scared:

[maddezmom]

51. AP link : Miers Withdraws Supreme Court Nomination

WASHINGTON - Harriet Miers withdrew her nomination to be a Supreme Court justice Thursday in the face of stiff opposition and mounting criticism about her qualifications.

Bush said he reluctantly accepted her decision to withdraw, after weeks of insisting that he did not want her to step down. He blamed her withdrawal on calls in the Senate for the release of internal White House documents that the administration has insisted were protected by executive privilege.

"It is clear that senators would not be satisfied until they gained access to internal documents concerning advice provided during her tenure at the White House — disclosures that would undermine a president's ability to receive candid counsel," Bush said. "Harriet Miers' decision demonstrates her deep respect for this essential aspect of the constitutional separation of powers — and confirms my deep respect and admiration for her."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051027/ap_on_go_su_co/miers_withdraws;_

[Wabbajack]

52. Yay now someone worse can get it!!!!!!!!

[Orsino]

157. Yep. Let the REAL ogre come forth!

Think it'll be a real judge this time, or *'s mailman?

[bmbmd]

53. Now Dr. Dobson will not have to testify before the

committee, under oath, and going on record as having lied to the American people.

[rodeodance]

102. drats. you are right!

[Pepper32]

57. Who will we get now?

Brace yourself, the idiot is out to please his base. :scared:

[Bonescrat]

59. Fastest growing thread ever...

[ajacobson]

60. Spanked by the bloviators

I shudder thinking of who Bush will nominate now.

[Catchawave]

61. I was looking forward to that confirmation hearing !

And Joe Biden questions! Careful what we wish for, but based on Bush's appointment track record, I bet Gonzales is next up to bat!

[Kolesar]

Gonzales seems most likely, but he is not stamped "Right-to-Life"

But he would be a bush* insider, appointed to vote to protect bush* when his inevitable legal problems boil up or another neocon needs his electoral college votes fixed.

[kurth]

64. Too little time and too much cramming to do, Miers withdraws

Okay.

Bring on the next nominee, her romantic rival: PRISCILLA OWENS.

[Birthmark]

66. You know what?

I honestly feel badly for her. She was in over her head from the start. Now, she has this embarrassment to deal with...gotta be tough.

But I AM laughing at the Coward-in-Chief.

[Liberal Dose]

67. Now pretty boy on CNN is spewing that Bush is pissed at the Senate for not

supporting his decision :eyes:

[YDogg]

69. About time ...

... but who will the next cretin be?

http://www.cretin.org/

[truthisfreedom]

70. wow.

what a great idea!

[The Stranger]

71. Now we are really going to be fucked.

[Kolesar]

76. The next nominee is going to be straight out of Right-to-Life

A nasty, unkempt mofo. His dog probably hates him, too.

[Rowdyboy]

82. Terse, Concise and deadly accurate!

Sadly, you're entirely correct...

[RogueTrooper]

78. Chances of Bush going with red meat for the base

with his next candidate?

In the first election Bush ran in 1978 for Congress he was beaten by a Democrat who ran to the right of him in social issues. Since then it has been an article of electoral faith that Bush will never let anybody run to the right of him.

Until Now.

My guess is that the next candidate he submits will have a good deal of street cred with his conservative Christian base.

Which means...

He is an unpopular President whose party, the current party of government, are unpopular with the American people. To placate his lunatic fringe he is going to have to put forward an overtly conservative candidate with positions that the American people find unpopular.

On top of that it looks like his political brain will be unavailable due to criminal charges.

Couldn't have happened to a nice guy. :evilgrin:

[Neil Lisst]

80. I think we need a Special Prosecutor to investigate ...

... to investigate what religious conservatives were secretly told about Miers that gave them comfort in supporting her.

[DainBramaged]

83. I can see the corn cob with nails in it being held by Roberts

As Lady Liberty takes it up the freedom chute with DipShit's next nomination.

Oh well, I guess he thinks we'll be distracted when the whip comes down over Plamegate.

[electron_blue]

85. Well she has to be available to be Bush's veep should Cheney

step down. LOL! Yeah, I'm kidding. I hope I'm kidding.

Yay!

[Raiden]

86. Who's next?

Priscilla Owens, Janice Rogers Brown...

...Roy Moore


:scared: :scared: :scared:

[leesa]

87. Good riddance.

[rodeodance]

88. This was a good move for the WH to make this announcement today. Gets

it out of the way. a few hours -maybe a day of criticism then back to the Plame issue. Smart when you think about it (I do not have to like it).

[Dangerously Amused]

112. Exactly. The RWers will be so happy rejoicing...

... that the indictments will pale in comparison.

They'll say, "Oh, but he's moving in the right direction!"

[rodeodance]

91. when do we get the Dem response. been flipping the stations. and nada.

[rodeodance]

93. Jr's 'red line' that he will not cross has turned into a red faced line.

[rodeodance]

96. The WH is cutting its loses and moving forward says msnbc. He is right.

[ananda]

No, not Ted Olson! Scrreemm!

Chris Mathews makes me sick sometimes. He's such an egotistical little plasticized tart.

He's got this new msm talking point about the two Bushes, the one who is great and visionary when choosing people like John Roberts and Bernanke (puke) and one who is smallminded and cronyish when choosing people like Michael Brown and Miers. So, he's saying that Bush should choose a heavy weight like Ted Olson. NOOOOO!

I just want to say to all those msm assholes, including Katie Couric... go crawl under a slimy rock and stay there!

Sue

[tblue37]

94. Bush realized that his TANG history was about to be exposed.

[Dangerously Amused]

119. You nailed it! /nt

[mark11727]

132. Good point --- cut this investigation off at the knees.

[Taxloss]

95. I'm keeping the cork in the champagne on this one.

I haven't even opened the fridge. Let's see who's nominated next.

[tavalon]

97. Those smooth fuckers

They're trying to push the indictments off the front page. They waited until the best possible time for this, didn't they.

[rodeodance]

105. yes good move by the WH do this now (much to my dismay).

[rodeodance]

107. Spector on msnbc. 'sad episode in the history of DC"-the way she was

treated was disgraceful he says"

[rodeodance]

110. he says that she will go back to being WH counsel--(she discussed that

with him this morning--or asked his advice about it-I am not sure).

[MalibuChloe]

116. BUT...if there are indictments today....

that will push the Harriet Miers story right off the front page!

[Onlooker]

98. A sad day

The radical right has won, and now Bush will surely nominate a qualified person with a long track record on conservativism. I wanted Meirs because I felt she wasn't locked into an ideology, and would turn to the left once on the court. Now, we're going to end up with someone really lousy.

[rodeodance]

100. a few days ago the Repug leadership met with Bush and said they did

not want this to come to a vote. plain and simple--Jr had to listen to them.

[ET Awful]

104. Doesn't that coincide with the day she was supposed to resubmit

her questionnaire? You know, the one that initially was called insulting by the judicial committee.

[babylonsister]

108. Maybe the questions were

too difficult - both times?

[rodeodance]

118. msnbc says YES. the questionaire was susposed to be resubmitted TOday

[ET Awful]

129. That's what I thought . . . YAY, my memory isn't failing . . .

Okay, so it IS failing, just not on this topic :).

[Strawman]

106. I don't know which way * will go

Conservatives really torpedoed this nomination and he probably feels like they betrayed him. Had they rallied to this nomination they could have delivered him a win here. They didn't. Does the grudge holding son of Barbara Bush come back with a big fuck you nomination (give them another Souter like Poppy) or does he recognize the need to rally the base and nominate a total wingnut?

Either way that should be framed as a loss for the president. Either way, along with these upcoming indictments it paints a general picture of a presidency that is the lamest of lame ducks right now with three years left. Approval of * has hovered at or near record lows for a President. This administration is increasingly isolated and I think the negative opinion is just going to keep snowballing.

These are desparate times for the * administration. I wouldn't put anything past these guys to try to get public support back behind them. They got off more than anything else on holding power (remember *'s boast about having all kinds of "political capital" after the election?). Their hunger for power trumps any ideology. The ideology is instrumental to *.

[Beetwasher]

109. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Chimpy, YOU SO WEAK!!!

n/t

[MrBenchley]

114. Don't all "nominees deserve an up and down vote?"

snicker

[moondust]

233. Yeah. Whatever happened to "UP OR DOWN VOTE"?

They're sure gonna look stupid and hypocritical the next time they try to pull that one.

[krkaufman]

242. Same thing I've been thinking since the wingnuts started griping.

What kills me is that I haven't heard a single voice, left-of-center or otherwise -- other than your post -- highlighting the hypocrisy of the radical Right's blocking the up-or-down vote on Miers.

Watching Lou Dobbs tonight prompted me to email him/CNN...

My email to Lou Dobbs, re: coverage of Miers withdrawal

... and I just got off the phone w/ Mike Malloy, a few minutes before the end of Thursday night's show, trying to get *somebody* to seed the "up-or-down vote hypocrisy" talking point.

[MrBenchley]

111. Chimpy threw her off the back of the sleigh

to try to slow down the wolves....like in a bad Russian novel...

[stanwyck]

158. and also a reference to a very good American one

"My Antonia" by Willa Cather.
And a very apt comparison. Thank you, Mr. Benchley.

[MrBenchley]

165. I don't think it will slow down the wolves though...

By the way, it's noticeable that the right wing rejected her because she MIGHT hold the views that most Americans share...

Here's Harry Reid, putting his finger on the point...

"The radical right wing of the Republican Party killed the Harriet Miers nomination. Apparently, Ms. Miers did not satisfy those who want to pack the Supreme Court with rigid ideologues."

[rodeodance]

113. Spector said that all Republicans will be meeting at 9:15 today.

[GalleryGod]

115. I Agree: It's the WingNut to Rally-the-Troops Plan !

And the :argh: CSMF's got the votes to do it!:puke:

[Virginian]

117. Darn, she was so much fun...

I liked watching the neo-cons separate themselves from the paleo-cons. For the first time since RayGun, watching Republicans criticize other Republicans. For the first time since Bush began occupying the White House to see anyone doubting his judgement. It was a real break through. People were beginning to think for themselves.
A mind is a terrible thing to waste -- even a Republican mind.

[rodeodance]

120. msnbc--Frist on Senate floor--upbeat announcement of her resigning.

[rodeodance]

122. Frist is reading part of Miers letter to the Senate.

[Democat]

121. They will probably nominate someone at least 10 years younger & Dems lose

If you think this is good news, just wait.

They will probably make us beg to have Miers back.

[lynne]

128. Bingo! You've hit the nail on the head -

- The repubs complaint with Miers is that she wasn't conservative enough. They want a hard-core right-winger in that seat and they are prepared - and want - a fight to put them there.

This is not good news. Anyone who thinks it is needs to be prepared for a shock.

[Democat]

137. They want someone younger as well

Miers is 60. They want someone 45-50.

[carolinalady]

123. Trent Lott is lookin' for a good woman....On CNN

any takers?
:puke:

[alcibiades_mystery]

127. Now the question is: Does Bush have the stomach for a filibuster fight

How can the conservatives say now that they shouldn't ask tough questions after they torpedoed a nomination and demanded answers?

Do people want anybody that Bush would nominate?

Can he go hard right here and survive?

The assumption is that he'll nominate a Priscilla Owens or some such, but do they really have the fight in them for that, and will people stand for an obviously anti-abortion nomination? Will it looked like he's caved to the radical Christian theocrats and completly collapsed the boundaries if government?

The Dems have a host of arguments here already built in, regardless of nominee.

[Democat]

135. "Democratic arguments" are worthless when we don't have votes

We don't have politicians with the strategy and willingness to fight as hard as the Republicans.

Our leaders are weak and even if they were strong they don't have the votes to stop the right wing.

Our only hope is a filibuster, but what are the odds that Democrats would do that? Our elected leaders are not willing to fight like the Republicans are.

[alcibiades_mystery]

145. We shall see

Bush comes into any filibuster fight at an extreme disadvantage.

Weak in the polls, bled dry in independent support, hit from this side and that, and looking increasingly incompetent - and he's going to nominate an obvious right wing nut who says to everybody "I caved to the religious right!"

It will be a tough fight, for sure, but let's not give up in advance, huh?

[TomClash]

131. Don't get too excited

Now Gannon's Bitch will simply appoint a more qualified closet fundie right-wing repuke to take her place.

[muchacho]

134. About time...

[tbolt]

136. and another one bites the dust

What does it all mean Basil?

[architect359]

138. OK, next crisis. (nt)

[sendero]

139. People, people, people..

.... this piddly not-at-all-unexpected little announcement isn't going to "push the indictments off the front page", no way no how. The timing is as much related to the circumstances - a letter from Arlen Specter, TV ads from conservative groups, the realization they had an "out" - the confidentiality of her work with Bush.

Relax.

This is a HUGE (HUGH) SETBACK for Bush, he had to RETREAT. And if he nominates a wingnut, which he probably will, it is FILIBUSTER TIME!

[lynne]

159. I'm betting -

- that his numbers begin to recover. The repubs are on TV jumping up and down with glee over this.

While this won't make the indictments go away this will put his base back in his corner. The base wants a SCOTUS fight. I'm betting they get it.

[sendero]

166. His base..

... never left. We'll see.

At this point he pretty much has to nominate a wingnut, and the Dems BETTER filibuster.

[lonestarnot]

141. All fuckingright now!

nyay nyay nyah nyah nyah nyah hah hah hah hah hah HAH! bare ass to you Meirs and twit nominator! Now could we get a sucker punch indictment!

[onehandle]

142. Timed to play down Fitzmas?

Was it all just a big set up?

A parting shot from General Rove?

[gauguin57]

169. YES, timed to share the news cycle with Fitzmas! First thing I thought

when I heard she'd withdrawn her nom.

[Tight_rope]

143. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!....Bahbye bitch!.....n/t

[KenCarson]

146. and tomorrow, the sun will rise

just as predictably

[FlashHarry]

147. I predict a Bork nomination!

Think about it: Junior's already righted his father's wrong in Iraq (never mind the messy aftermath). Now he'll try to get payback for the biggest black eye the GOP has experienced in the last 30 years -- the Borking of Bork!

[JVS]

244. This would unite the camps that were divided over miers.

Nothing like an old bitterness to reunite the constituents

[maximovich]

154. Gremlin Steps Down

with those freaky eyes.

[ochazuke]

160. Wouldn't it be funny if he nominated like LAURA now?

Just to show everyone (in case they STILL don't get it) how totally hopeless his administration is.

[Eurobabe]

161. See ya Harry!

[savemefromdumbya]

162. Bush has a habit of choosing dead ducks

look at Brown for FEMA (horse society) etc. See who he will pick next. Someone who will do what he says.

[goforit]

175. Watch for the next one......it will be worse.

[Tarc]

186. I could be

but then again, he may fall back on someone like Alberto Gonzales. It all comes down too which path of resistance he wants to take; go up against Republican conservatism or go up against Democrats and some intelligent moderate Republicans who hold sway on all this, like Specter.

[hyphenate]

167. Well,

she's smarter than I thought!

[KansDem]

170. Well, there goes "Most Qualified"

What will Bush do now? Will he pick "Second Most Qualified," or "Not Quite as Qualified, But Moreso than Third Most," or "Mostly Qualified?"

This should be good. I'm waiting...

[TheCowsCameHome]

187. "Sloppy seconds" - a Bush tradition.

[nashville_brook]

171. just woke up...wow.

wonder if it will be said that bush is being taken down by the same ideologues he and rove created in order to take power.

[DrLazer]

177. Strange Bedfellows

Check that time stamp...looks like SOMEBODY jumped on the anti-Miers wagon in the nick of time.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ucac/20051027/cm_ucac/scratchoffmiers

Really, I wasn't expecting this, but when I don't think a lot about Ann Coulter these days anyway...

[Tarc]

185. Coulter has always been anti-Miers

Also, I was thrown off by the "scratch off" heading at first too, but this article still speaks of her as a current candidate, and not in the past tense of a withdrawn one.

[DrLazer]

196. My Bad

I stopped bothering with Coulter after anticoulter.com called it a day...

[Lowell]

179. Bush is in so much trouble

with the congressional republicans that are up for re-election that I think he will have a lot of trouble getting another hack on the SCOTUS. The congressmen have seen the handwriting on the wall and it is not pretty. They know that they stand a good chance of getting thrown out on their collective asses if they don't begin to dismantle some of the harm this administration has done.

[Historic NY]

180. It was only a matter of time......

except the WH blundered again, Fitz isn't talking today. I suspect tomorrow Fitz will shine and do the weekend dump.

[complain jane]

183. HAH!!! HAHAHAHA

That was my reaction when I first heard this on AA while driving around this morning. Hah!

[swag]

184. My goodness, what a weak little president we have.

Weak weak weak weak weak weak weak.

He is so weak and little!

Bush is a tiny, weak little man!

What a little man he is!

And so weak!

[TheCowsCameHome]

188. Damn. Now we have to settle for second best.

[Initech]

190. Ding dong the witch is dead!!!

Which old witch? The wicked witch! Ding dong the witch is dead...

[fishwax]

192. Right on schedule. Perhaps it was planned all along

a soften up the opposition/rope a dope kind of thing ...

[glitch]

197. Indeed. nt

:(

[FlyByNight]

200. It's about time

Frankly, what took her so long? She was clearly unqualified and nothing but a crony.

And Harriet, you can let the door hit you on the ass on the way out. Get to steppin'.

:bounce:

[anotherdrew]

201. that didn't take long

I still think bush nominated her knowing it wouldn't fly

[joshorton]

202. Who's Next?

I believe this is a great day for progressives/liberals. Bush is at his weakest and we have the only card he can play, he MUST pick a more moderate judge. If he does not, the democrats can play the he tailored to the reactionary right. If he picks a moderate, his party will implode. I think this is fantastic. But I also think this should be done carefully. Democrats must be ready to lead with honesty and fairness. We must also stand together and choose to do what best for all Americans. 2006 is comming soon, we cannot just think we can win those elections by default. We must prove we are the party of the people.

[deadparrot]

208. While I celebrate this....

I fear to see who he'll appoint in her place.

:scared:

Also, he's trying to deflect focus from Plamegate.

[PittPoliSci]

211. not good.

i was hoping she'd get confirmed, because I know we're going to get someone who promises to be much worse now, like pricilla owens.

[Nothing Without Hope]

212. ***Keith Olbermann will cover this tonight on MSNBC - here is an NBC***

article about it:

Here is the newsletter for tonight's Countdown show with Keith Olbermann, which airs at 8 PM and midnight ET:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=315&topic_id=24586&mesg_id=24586
thread title: Countdown Newsletter, 10/27 show: "Miers Out"

Excerpt:

------------------------------------------------------
Tonight on Countdown
------------------------------------------------------
Under withering attack from conservatives, Harriet Miers on Thursday withdrew her nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. In a statement, President Bush said he "reluctantly accepted" her decision to withdraw, after weeks of insisting that he did not want her to step down. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9837151 /

Countdown w/ Keith Olbermann broadcasts LIVE at 8 pm et, and the count is never complete without you. Join us.

Here is an excerpt from the NBC News article cited in the newsletter:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9837151

Miers withdraws Supreme Court nomination

Stunning news in tense D.C.; Bush accepts decision ‘reluctantly’
NBC News and news services
Updated: 12:40 p.m. ET Oct. 27, 2005

WASHINGTON - Under withering attack from conservatives, Harriet Miers on Thursday withdrew her nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court.

In a statement, President Bush said he “reluctantly accepted” her decision to withdraw, after weeks of insisting that he did not want her to step down.

Bush said Miers withdrew because of a bipartisan effort in Congress to gain access to internal documents related to her current role as counsel to the president.

(snip)

A White House source, who had been working on Miers’ confirmation, told NBC News that the withdrawal was the result of a “perfect storm” of events — including a call to the White House Wednesday from a conservative Senate Judiciary Committee member who “hoped” the nomination would be withdrawn.

(snip)

:rofl: "Bush said Miers withdrew because of a bipartisan effort in Congress to gain access to internal documents related to her current role as counsel to the president."

[sofa king]

214. Coming up next: a recess appointment.

I feel it in my bones. Miers' nomination wasn't just because the First Lady liked her. She was also supposed to defend the White House on the Supreme Court. Plamegate is only the tip of the iceberg.

So what does a beleaguered and criminally culpable President do? He waits for the Senate to go into recess, then appoints whomever he wants. He has three years to convince the Senate to confirm his appointee, but by then he's out and scot free.

Eisenhower did this with Earl Warren, William Brennan, and Potter Stewart back in the 1950s. The Senate has since tried to limit such practices, but there's nothing that overtly bars it from happening. In fact, Bob Dole tried to hint to Ronald Reagan that he could get away with it back in 1987, when Joe Biden was delaying Robert Bork's confirmation hearings.

Check out this CRS Report (Adobe .pdf format) for more information, especially pages CRS-16 and -17:

http://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/50146.pdf

I'll bet we haven't seen the last of Harriet by a long shot.

Edit: Maybe we haven't seen the last of Bork, either....

[twaddler01]

219. haha

that is sweet and funny as hell! :rofl:

[Scooter24]

220. Well, brace yourselves,

Let's all get ready for a Janice Brown, Michael Luttig, or Priscilla Owens on the court now. We all know the filibuster option will only get us so far before they terminate it. Miers, at least in my opinion, was the lesser of all evils.

We can all hope that the indictments lead him to choose someone more moderate, but it's doubtful. He'll play to his base.

This situation just got a lot worse.

[Baclava]

227. Yep - "Bait and Switch"

This could get real ugly.

[Vektor]

224. I'm afraid he'll nominate someone even worse.

I'm not thrilled about her withdrawal. We could get another Rehnquist. Or WORSE.

[mvd]

225. She would have protected Bush as much or more than any..

Bush would nominate IMO. I'm glad she was derailed. I believe that Bush cares most about extending his horrid legacy more than pleasing the base. So expect him to nominate someone more known, but not necessarily a Priscilla Owen.

[Seabiscuit]

228. Miers to Shrub:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=5191814&mesg_id=5191814

[rodeodance]

230. AP--Bush Stung As Miers Withdraws Nomination

Love the headline!!

http://news.yahoo.com/

Bush Stung As Miers Withdraws Nomination

AP - 4 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - In a striking defeat for President Bush, White House counsel Harriet Miers withdrew her nomination to the Supreme Court on Thursday after three weeks of brutal criticism from fellow conservatives. The Senate's top Republican predicted a replacement candidate within days.

[superconnected]

234. Wonder what they uncovered about her, I mean, I wonder why she dropped out

Hope it hit's the papers.

[eppur_se_muova]

238. Interesting typo/Freudian slip?

On the Greatest page, the title refers to Harriest Miers...

couldn't help but wonder -- 'tsup wit dat?

[fob]

239. How come all those repuke assholes didn't dig out the "UpperDown"

vote bullshit?

I thought it was in the constitution or sumpin'?

:shrug: