Crony Constitutionalism

President Bush's decision to nominate his own lawyer to the U.S. Supreme Court should make for a very quick confirmation hearing. Following the John Roberts template, Harriet Miers won't answer any question about any subject that might come before the Supreme Court, and just about everything else falls behind the shield of attorney-client privilege.

There's absolutely no way to know how she would vote to decide any issue. She said Monday she favors a strong judiciary that will strictly follow the Constitution.

It's one or the other, but let's not quibble.

President Bush spoke of Ms. Miers' public service and church involvement and charity work. "I know her heart," he said.

This meant-to-be-reassuring comment is actually the president's way of telling the country to shut up and do what he says. He wants a speedy confirmation of his nominee and no intrusive questions about what she may or may not have done for him to merit the plainly unmerited patronage handout of a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court of the United States.

Not his finest hour.


Copyright 2005

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