ConfirmThem

By Erick Posted in SCOTUS — Comments () / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

Despite what Robert Novak reports, I have no doubt, none, zero, that the fallback nominee was not Callahan, but Karen Williams. No doubts at all on that. Novak and I have both obviously been wrong, but this strikes me very much as a scare tactic from some of the kids in the administration who want us to believe the alternative would have been worse than Miers (and it would have been if it were Callahan, though it was not).

Actually the Williams fallback would have been better and I expect that when Miers gets the boot, which I think is still the minority view, but increasingly likely, Williams or Corrigan could be the pick.

AGAG and Callahan would both risk further rebellion from conservatives.

Also, as has been reported elsewhere, James Dobson and Rick Warren (A Purpose Driven Life Rick Warren) have both come out for Miers. I am told exceedingly reliably that Dobson was not at first happy, but has been under extraordinary pressure to come around to the view that Miers is acceptable. Even though he has, Dobson has yet to say "Miers will be great" without immediately following that up with a variation of "but I have my doubts."

Lastly, keep in mind that in 1981, Starr, Ed Meese, and others who are coming out for Miers also came out for Sandra Day O'Connor. Several were on record at the time saying O'Connor told them she was prolife.

I have increasingly come to the position that Miers will be better on abortion that O'Connor, but that's all I know about her. We'll see what comes out of the hearings, if it gets that far.