October 05, 2005

Cornyn Defends Miers

Sen. John Cornyn writes in support of Harriet Miers to replace Sandra Day O'Connor. He immediately attacks critics claiming they have a pro-Ivy League bias. As Augustine on Redstate.org points out most of conservatives' fave judges had nothing to do with the Ivy League. It's just an attack-the-attacker strategy.

The heart of Cornyn's argument is like President Bush's: I know and trust her.

I have been fortunate enough to know Harriet for much of her career. I know that she believes, as I do, that judges should not legislate from the bench. I know that she believes, as I do, that judges are not some sort of elite anointed to impose their preferences on the rest of us. I know that she understands that unelected judges who serve in a democracy have a limited role--to apply the law as it was written by the people's representatives. She aptly described her judicial philosophy on Monday when she said, "It is the responsibility of every generation to be true to the founders' vision of the proper role of the courts and our society." The courts, she continued, have "obligations to strictly apply the laws and the Constitution."

He told us nothing more than we already know. He didn't mention evidence of deep, thoughtful judicial thinking and no mention of a history of being interested in constitutional law. Miers backers have had over 24 hours to offer up something, anything to ease conservatives' concerns. There really mustn't be much out there if nothing has been found. That's not reassuring.

Cornyn would have been a better pick. He has a record we can examine, and he has real world experience too.

"Harriet Miers"