OTB has a run-down on one name that might be on President Bush’s list of Miers replacements: Michael McConnell.
Certainly a quick glance demonstrates what a qualified candidate looks like–the contrast with Miers is stark.
However, one does wonder if the President can get away with a non-female (or, at least, a non-minority) pick.
My opinion: yes. There will be kicking and screaming from the left about the fact that it’s a femal seat (not, of course, in so many words), but then we’re going to get a lot of kicking and screaming from the left anyway if Bush nominates somebody very conservative, so he may not care. Also, he can now credibly and legitimately claim that his first pick was a woman, and many Democrats didn’t like her.
You remember the claim made by Dobson et al. that many qualified conservative women took their names off the list prior to the Miers nomination? If that is in fact true (which I seriously doubt), and if the first list was primarily or exclusively female, then the list Bush has to work with now may be considerably longer, because he can legitimately add males to the mix.
One could argue too (though I’m not necessarily making the case) that males are more ready and willing to endure the grueling confirmation process, and thus are less likely to remove themselves from consideration on that basis. Again, I’m not claiming that’s true, I’m just saying . . .
Comment by Scott Gosnell — Thursday, October 27, 2024 @ 3:23 pm
What Now?
Perhaps that title should be Who Now.
I spent as much of the day as work would allow looking for and reading a wide variety of reactions to Miss Miers withdraw. There are as many reactions as there were opinions about her nomination. No real surpris…
Trackback by bRight & Early — Thursday, October 27, 2024 @ 6:01 pm
[…] o were on polar opposite ends of the Miers discussion, have both suggested Mike McConnell. Dr. Steven Taylor wonders if, “the President can get away with a non-female (or, at least, a non-minority) pic […]
Pingback by bRight & Early » What Now? — Thursday, October 27, 2024 @ 6:26 pm
” the President can get away with a non-female (or, at least, a non-minority) pick”
Not if Laura has anything to do with it. trent Lott is also calling for a woman or minority. It is really quite hypocricial that all of these Republicans like Bush and Lott have such a strong committment to affirmitive action!
Comment by asdfadsf — Thursday, October 27, 2024 @ 9:01 pm