Bothersome Bushisms

While I'm generally supportive of President Bush, some recent political white lies got my back up. Recent sample:

"Harriet Miers and I never specifically discussed Roe v Wade."

Right. In 25 years, two ostensibly pro-life Christians -- one the Presdient the other his personal attorney who helped him vet other Supreme Court nominees -- have never said a peep about Roe v. Wade. Burger King only dreams of such whoppers.

"She is the most qualified candidate to replace Sandra Day O'Connor."

Sure. The very top candidate within 12 feet of him.

"I have no litmus test for my nominations."

Uh huh. He campaigned on the promise to nominate in the mold of a Scalia or a Thomas. Otherwise known as a publically acknowledged litmus test.

Personally, I think there is a greater-than-small chance that Ms. Miers will wilt and buckle under the harsh glare of nationally televised Senate hearings. Much as I disagree with most of what emerges from, for instance, Sen. Chuck Schumer's mouth, he's no dummy. In order to prepare for a marathon of aggressive questioning on arcane Constitutional minutiae, Harriet Miers's will need a miracle.

And God doesn't multiply miracles every time a president needs one.

Speaking of which, I think Miers' front-and-center evangelical Christian faith is a big plus, but nowhere near sufficient as a qualification. It seems the Bush Administration is harping on it as a way of putting rouge on a corpse. But very few Americans, including Christians, believe that following Jesus is a valid substitute for the kind of comprehensive Constitutional scholarship required for sitting on the highest court in the land. In the case of John Roberts, the spin was focused on his -- oh, let's see -- judicial expertise and jurisprudence prowess. In hers, it's been to win over the conservative base.

Talk about strategy backfire: Pat Buchanan, Ann Coulter, Gary Bauer, Charles Krauthammer, Michelle Malkin, Bill Kristol, Rush Limbaugh, David Frum and Mark Levin -- for starters -- have protested with a synchronized spleen vent.

Her nomination stands or falls based on how well she does seated in that cushy upolstered seat, before that untouched glass of water, wondering if any surprise fastballs are going to cork her in the head.

As television goes, this particular kind of big league game should be watchable indeed.