The problem with the Miers nomination isn't really about Miers. It's about Bush. He should never have to say "trust me." That he has had to say it -- and it hasn't worked -- shows how lost his base is trying to figure out the Administration's policies, or lack thereof.
In short, we're offered a Rorschach test, where we see everything we fear from an administration that's played both sides against the middle once too often. This was supposed to be the big payoff, after all.
The social conservatives see a lost chance against Roe. The libertarians think that her only conservative credentials are Christian, when they're worried about the free political speech, eminent domain and the overreaching federal state. Rank-and-file Republicans are going to trust their President more time, but they're not happy either.
A president, like say, Reagan, could pick a total unknown like O'Connor and everyone lined up for the vote. No question we'd support her, because, well, Reagan was the Man. Bush can't get away with it, and the really annoying part of it is he doesn't understand why not.
Posted by Kevin Murphy at October 10, 2005 11:43 PM