Democratic Senate Leader Recommended Harriet Miers to Bush

Senator Harry Reid Recommended Harriet Miers to Bush

I was chatting with a Democrat who was very critical of President Bush’s nomination of Harriet Miers to the United States Supreme Court. In the course of the conversation it became apparent that the Democrat was unaware that President had nominate the person suggested to him by the Democratic Senate leader.

Democrats complained that the Senate’s advice and consent should involve consultation prior to President Bush nominating a Supreme Court Justice. Bush met with Senate Democratic Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada who suggested that the President nominate his Counsel Harriet Miers.

The idea is to work together cooperatively and avoid distracting political battles. See Monday, October 3, 2005 Statement Of Senator Harry Reid On The Nomination Of Harriet Miers To The U.S. Supreme Court on his website. “In my view, the Supreme Court would benefit from the addition of a justice who has real experience as a practicing lawyer. The current justices have all been chosen from the lower federal courts. A nominee with relevant non-judicial experience would bring a different and useful perspective to the Court.”

See MSNBC’s Senate presses for quick Miers confirmation
“Reid had personally recommended that Bush consider Miers for nomination, according to several sources familiar with the president’s consultations with individual senators. Of equal importance as the White House maps its confirmation campaign is that the Nevada Democrat had warned Bush that the selection of any of several other contenders could trigger a bruising partisan struggle.”

If the cooperation that the President has shown to the Democrats can be remembered, it will be reciprocated. Won’t it?

See Prior Posts:
Bush Brilliant Strategic Choice of Harriet Miers
Prisoners Up, Crime Down
Should Presidents Transform US Supreme Court?
Should Presidents Transform US Supreme Court? – Part II