Miers nominated to bench
"I think the president made a very brilliant pick," he said.
Democrats and liberal activists held their fire.
"It is too early to reach any firm judgment about such an important nomination," said Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy, a Democrat who is the ranking member on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will hold hearings this fall on Miers's nomination. "It is important to know whether she would enter this key post with the judicial independence necessary when the Supreme Court considers issues of interest to this administration."
Sen. Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat and also a member of the committee, said Miers has had an "impressive career as a lawyer. She has helped break new ground for women attorneys in Texas," adding: "Because Ms. Miers has not taken public positions on many important legal and constitutional issues, the Senate confirmation hearings will be particularly important." Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, said the high court would benefit from a justice with experience as a practicing lawyer, and the Associated Press reported that Reid had earlier suggested to the White House that it consider Miers. Bush said 80 senators were consulted before Miers's nomination was announced.
Ralph Neas of the progressive People for the American Way, and a veteran of many Supreme Court battles, said that without past judicial experience for senators to consider, Miers will bear the burden of outlining her judicial philosophy and providing direct answers to questions "about how–and whether–she will uphold fundamental rights, liberties, and legal protections on which Americans rely."
In her comments, Miers, who is single and has no children, said: "It is the responsibility of every generation to be true to the founders' vision of the proper role of the courts in our society. If confirmed, I will have a tremendous responsibility to keep our judicial system strong and help ensure that the courts meet their obligation to strictly apply the law and the Constitution."
After she undergoes a thorough background check, Miers will appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee for hearings. The committee will then vote on whether to recommend her nomination for a full Senate vote. The process is expected to continue into December. Justice O'Connor will serve on the high court until her replacement is confirmed.
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