The Berkeley Beacon

Issue date: 10/13/05 Section: Opinion

Media Credit: courtesy of Associative Press Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers has the support of Democratic minority leader Harry Reid (D-NV). Photo courtesy of the Associated Press

To be honest, I was concerned. When President Bush picked Harriet Miers to hold a place on the highest court in the country, I noted, after speaking to several people on campus, that there was great concern about her lack of judicial experience.

As her nomination began to unfold, however, my skepticism turned into strong support.
While Miers was being framed in the media as someone without judicial experience, it was none other than the Democratic minority leader for the Senate who came out to defend her record.

On the first day of the nominating process, Harry Reid (D-NV), one of the most outspoken critics of the Bush administration, held a press conference about Miers with the Supreme Court nominee standing right at his side.

Usually, the opposition would come out swinging against a Republican pick for the court, but in this case Reid discussed Miers with an open mind-not only praising her experience as a lawyer but also adding that her lack of judicial experience was a positive, not a negative, aspect of her nomination.

This Supreme Court seat, which will be vacated by moderate Sandra Day O'Connor, carries with it high stakes.

Instead of choosing someone strictly based on conservatism, Bush decided to meet with members of the opposing party, as well as his own, to make the confirmation process easier.

In looking at Reid's photo opportunity with Miers during his press conference, which was the first day her nomination was made official, it can easily be recognized that President Bush succeeded admirably in his quest to find a person who would be endorsed by both sides.

Based on what we know so far about Miers, there are many attributes which make her worthy of the position on the high court.

According to her profile on CNN.com, Miers is currently working as a White House counsel-a job she has held since early 2005.

Before that, she was White House deputy chief of staff for policy. Moreover, prior to working in the White House, Miers had an exemplary career in Texas. She practiced business law in the state for several years, and in the late 80s, she was elected to be a city councilor in Dallas.

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