Miers Lacks Gift of Gab, Competence, Say Senators
Ever fill out one of those lengthy questionnaires for, say, auto insurance or White House security clearance? You know how boring and pedantic they can be, right? How muchinformationthey want. "Have you ever been arrested for DUI outside of Dupont Circle?" "Do you promise not to dish on secret government agents and stuff?" Blah blah fucking blah. Yeah, well, try wriggling your way onto the Supreme Court sometime. Honey, you ain't seen exacting 'til you've done that.
Barely concealing their irritation during a 35-minute news conference at the Capitol, Chairman Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) and ranking Democrat Patrick J. Leahy (Vt.) called the lobbying on Miers's behalf "chaotic," and said the answers she provided Monday to a lengthy questionnaire were inadequate. "The comments I have heard range from incomplete to insulting," Leahy said.
That's right: "Insulting." Apparently, it's unwise to answer a question pertaining to the constitutional logic behind Lawrence v. Texas with, "Shit, boy, only steers n' queers come from Texas, and you sure don't look like no steer t'me." Who knew.--MICHAEL WEISS
Senators Assail Miers's Replies, Ask for Details [WaPo]
Supreme Court Nominee Is Asked to Redo Response to Questions [NYT]