White House Presses Case On Miers
JOPLIN, MO - MAY 20: Construction workers put together what will eventually be an apartment building that is replacing one that was destroyed when a tornado hit almost one year ago on May 20, 2012 in Joplin, Missouri. Tuesday will mark the one-year anniversary of the EF-5 tornado that devastated the town. The tornado left behind a path of destruction along with 161 deaths and hundreds of injuries, but one year later there are signs that the town is beginning to recover. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) / Joe Raedle
President Bush on Monday invited a group of former Texas Supreme Court justices to the Oval Office to show support for his embattled Supreme Court nominee, Harriet Miers.
"I think this is an excellent choice by the president of the United States and I think when people get to know her and understand her like we do they'll find her an excellent choice. And she'll be a legend on that court before her career is finished," said one of the Texans, Craig Enoch.
The photo op with the former jurists was part of a new effort by the White House to counter criticism that Miers lacks the qualifications for the high court.
"Harriet Miers is a uniquely qualified person to serve on the bench. She is smart, she is capable, she is a pioneer," Mr. Bush said after meeting with the Texas judges. "She's been consistently ranked as one of the top 50 women lawyers in the United States. She has been a leader in the legal profession. She's impressed these folks. They know her well. They know that she'll bring excellence to the bench."
Meanwhile, Miers arranged personal meetings during the day with Democratic Sens. Chuck Schumer of New York and Dianne Feinstein of California. Both are members of the Judiciary Committee, which will hold hearings and take the first vote on the nomination.
"You can't have a campaign for a nominee for Supreme Court based on whispers and winks," Schumer said. "You can't say that 'Oh, people close to her say one thing,' then don't want to say it publicly."
CBS News correspondent Gloria Borger reports that Democrats made it clear Monday that they intend to ask very specific questions about abortion and her judicial philosophy when
Senate Republicans hope to begin confirmation hearings on Miers the week of November 7, officials said Monday.
Officials in both parties said Republicans have proposed a schedule for Miers' confirmation process that calls for a vote in the full Senate before Thanksgiving. It was not clear whether Democrats would agree or seek changes.
The two parties haggled at length earlier this year over a confirmation timetable for John Roberts, eventually confirmed as chief justice.
© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report. "I think this is an excellent choice by the president of the United States and I think when people get to know her and understand her like we do they'll find her an excellent choice. And she'll be a legend on that court before her career is finished," said one of the Texans, Craig Enoch.
The photo op with the former jurists was part of a new effort by the White House to counter criticism that Miers lacks the qualifications for the high court.
"Harriet Miers is a uniquely qualified person to serve on the bench. She is smart, she is capable, she is a pioneer," Mr. Bush said after meeting with the Texas judges. "She's been consistently ranked as one of the top 50 women lawyers in the United States. She has been a leader in the legal profession. She's impressed these folks. They know her well. They know that she'll bring excellence to the bench."
Meanwhile, Miers arranged personal meetings during the day with Democratic Sens. Chuck Schumer of New York and Dianne Feinstein of California. Both are members of the Judiciary Committee, which will hold hearings and take the first vote on the nomination.
"You can't have a campaign for a nominee for Supreme Court based on whispers and winks," Schumer said. "You can't say that 'Oh, people close to her say one thing,' then don't want to say it publicly."
CBS News correspondent Gloria Borger reports that Democrats made it clear Monday that they intend to ask very specific questions about abortion and her judicial philosophy when
Senate Republicans hope to begin confirmation hearings on Miers the week of November 7, officials said Monday.
Officials in both parties said Republicans have proposed a schedule for Miers' confirmation process that calls for a vote in the full Senate before Thanksgiving. It was not clear whether Democrats would agree or seek changes.
The two parties haggled at length earlier this year over a confirmation timetable for John Roberts, eventually confirmed as chief justice.
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