Kerry and Kennedy on the Withdrawal of Harriet Miers' Nomination

[Mass]

http://kerry.senate.gov/v3/cfm/home.cfm

Statement by Senator John Kerry on the Withdrawal of Harriet Miers' Nomination to the Supreme Court

"Caught up in a wave of scandal and concerns about the war in Iraq, the President has allowed right wing interest groups to decide the fate of his Supreme Court nominee rather than stand up to his ultra conservative base. It's a telling statement about the instability and ideological confusion facing the White House and the Republican Party.

"This nomination was mishandled from the beginning. The President nominated someone whose qualifications he alone knew, then refused to disclose the only documents that would give the Senate even a hint of his nominee's judicial philosophy. If the President really believed Harriet Miers was the most qualified candidate for the Supreme Court, he made a terrible mistake refusing to fight for her and capitulating to the right wing.

"In this difficult moment, it's even more important for the President to choose a nominee in the mold of Justice O'Connor who will decide each case on the relevant facts and applicable law rather than someone who will use the Court to pursue an ideological agenda outside the mainstream."

http://www.tedkennedy.com/

“It’s disingenuous for the President to suggest that Senators’ insistence on White House records was somehow responsible for the withdrawal of the Miers’ nomination. If the President were willing to stand up to the extremists in his party, a realistic compromise could easily have been found on this issue.

The fact that the White House and Senate Republicans were not willing to stand up for principle and fairness against the extremists in their midst should be disturbing to all Americans. But now we have all seen that fringe of our society at its worst, and we know that their agenda is not the nation’s agenda.”

[k j]

1. 'Difficult moment'

No kidding. LOL As far as I'm concerned, Reid manuevered Bush into the corner ropes and Kerry is applying pressure.
But of course, I know nothing about boxing. ;-)

[Bryan]

2. He's using the same "failed to stand up to his base" line that Dean used

Blessed Jesus, are the Dems all finally on the same page?!

[passy]

7. They're actually using talking points.

I thought only repubs knew how to do that.

[Califooyah Operative]

10. dean and lakoff put some sense into them

[Mass]

3. Added Kennedy's statement.

http://www.tedkennedy.com /

“It’s disingenuous for the President to suggest that Senators’ insistence on White House records was somehow responsible for the withdrawal of the Miers’ nomination. If the President were willing to stand up to the extremists in his party, a realistic compromise could easily have been found on this issue.

The fact that the White House and Senate Republicans were not willing to stand up for principle and fairness against the extremists in their midst should be disturbing to all Americans. But now we have all seen that fringe of our society at its worst, and we know that their agenda is not the nation’s agenda.”

[second edition]

4. There is much truth in his words. 'Difficult moment" & 'mishandled"

Good comments. Thanks for posting.

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

8. A difficult moment mishandled...

This probably won't be the last time it happens while der bushenfuerher remains in power.

[Arkansas Granny]

5. I think it's really important that they stress the fact that Bush caved

to the right wing fundies. This doesn't show Bush in a good light.

[Mass]

6. I am happy to see that this seems to be a talking point among most Dems

Reid and Durbin this morning, Dean, Kerry, Kennedy, and probably others.

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

9. der Bushenfuerher caves to der rightenweenies

How beauuuutiful!