As I noted earlier today, President Bush stated earlier today that Harriet Miers’ religious faith was one of the motivating factors for her nomination. Obviously realizing the problems that this statement creates, the White House is now backtracking from the statement.
WASHINGTON (CNN) — President Bush suggested Wednesday that Harriet Miers’ evangelical Christian beliefs were part of the reason he nominated her to the Supreme Court. But later a White House spokesman said her religion played no role in her selection.
Later Wednesday, White House press secretary Scott McClellan denied Miers’ religious beliefs had anything to do with her nomination.
“Harriet Miers is a person of faith,” McClellan told reporters. “She recognizes, however, that a person’s religion or personal views have no role when it comes to making decisions as a judge.”
McClellan said the White House was “just pointing out facts about who she is” by raising the issue.
“But that’s not what we’re emphasizing,” McClellan said. “What we’re emphasizing is her judicial philosophy and her experience and her qualifications.”
What judicial philosphy ? So far we haven’t seen any evidence of one, and the response from the White House when the issue comes up is “Trust us.”
McClellan was asked specifically whether Miers’ religion played a role in Bush’s selection of her.
“No, the president makes decisions based on the person’s qualifications and experience and judicial temperament,” McClellan said.
Sorry Scott, but the cat is out of the bag. President Bush opened the floor to questions about Miers’ religious faith and the role it would play in her decision making as a judge when he cited it as the primary reasons she should be confirmed.
Linked with Thursday’s Beltway Traffic Jam
Previous Posts:
Why Harriet ? Part II
Trusting W
Still More on Miers
Oppose Harriet Miers ? You’re Sexist
More On Miers
Solving The Miers Puzzle
Publius v. Harriet Miers
Why Harriet ?
Harriet Who ?
