Harriet Miers?

President Bush nominated her today to replace Sandra Day O'Connor on the USSC. For heavensakes why?

ABC has the following information on Ms. Miers.

Born and raised in Dallas, Miers, 60, earned an undergraduate degree in mathematics and a law degree from Southern Methodist University. In addition to her legal career, she served one term on the Dallas City Council.

The White House and Miers' supporters praise her as a trailblazer and a pioneer in the legal field. The first woman hired by the prestigious Dallas law firm Locke Purnell Boren Laney & Neely, she also was the first female president of the Dallas Bar Association and the first female president of the Texas Bar Association.

Miers met Bush in the 1980s, according to published reports, and was counsel for his 1994 campaign for governor. He appointed her chair of the Texas Lottery Commission in 1995. Miers then was president of Locke, Purnell, Rain & Harrell and co-managing partner of Locke Liddell & Sapp before she joined the White House in 2001.

In addition, Miers was named one of the Top 50 Most Influential Lawyers by the National Law Journal in 1998, and received numerous other awards from groups including the Dallas Women Lawyers Association, the Anti-Defamation League and the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers.

A senior White House official told ABC News that Bush first considered Miers for O'Connor's spot on the U.S. Supreme Court after nominating John Roberts for chief justice. He offered her the job Sunday night, Oct. 2. In announcing Miers' nomination, Bush noted that her inspiration is her 91-year-old mother, who is said to be ill and living in a nursing home. Texas State Supreme Court Justice Nathan Hecht, who has known Miers for 31 years and once dated her, said, "I think she will be a great justice. She will work very hard."

That's very nice about her mother but how does that make her the best nominee for the USCC? Her resume is hardly overwhelming too. Ms. Miers is 60 years old, and went to SMU not the most noted of law schools as Captain Ed points out.

Harriet Miers does seem well connected politically. Which reminds me of two other well connected Republican nominees to the USSC. Who are they? Anthony Kennedy and David Souter. Enough said.

What it looks like as Dr. Taylor points out is that Miers is a stealth candidate. No visible record or views, therefore President Bush is hoping she'll fly through the Senatae. This doesn't inspire confidence for me. Knowing little about a USSC candidate can work both ways, how do we know that Harriet Miers is a reliable conservative? There is nothing in her record to show she is. Republicans come in all varieties.

The reaction around the Republican/Conservative blogosphere isn't good.

James Joyner wonders why the President would pick someone this old for the court.

Strang Women Lying in Ponds asks Harriet who and you got to be kidding me?

Michelle Malkin compares the Harriet Miers nomination to the recent Julie Myers appointment to a Homeland Security position. That both women are cronies or diversity choices. I don't like Ms. Myers either.

Maybe most troubling of all Mike Krempasky at Red State points out some political contributions that Harriet Miers has made. To Al Gore and Lloyd Bentsen. This fact alone makes this nomination look like another David Souter to me.

Other bloggers that aren't impressed include Steve, David and Glenn. Professor Bainbridge and Lashawn haven't chimed in but both have been vocal about their disappointment in many of President Bush's actions.(Not being willing to control spending, favoring cronies etc) Maybe we shouldn't be so surprised by the Miers nomination.

We will not know Ms. Miers impact on the court for at least months if not years. Right now I smell a disaster in the making.

Monday Special- Jo's Cafe

Update- Professor Bainbridge blogged and he is just appalled at Bush's nomination. Bryan feels-It will all come down to trust. Do we conservatives trust the president enough to support Miers? I don't at this moment. President Bush is likely to be my knucklehead winner tomorrow. Ann Althouse is on the fence. But the vast majority of the conservative blogosphere is either underwhelmed or very unhappy.