The Stakes Are Too High to Bow to the Right Wing

“We are troubled by the circumstances under which Harriet Miers’ nomination was withdrawn. Every Supreme Court nominee deserves the right to a hearing and an opportunity to explain his or her judicial philosophy.

Miers’ nomination was doomed by two factors: the far right’s tar-and-feather tactics and the White House’s refusal to provide information that would have illuminated her views. The combination of a radical right litmus test and a stubborn White House deprived all of us – from president to Congress to the American people – the chance to fairly assess Miers. That is a state of affairs that no one should celebrate.

President Bush is now faced with an important choice. He can nominate a mainstream candidate with a mainstream judicial philosophy or he give in to a radical right that wants to turn back the clock on progress. The stakes for the future direction of the Supreme Court could not be higher. The president cannot bow to extremists in making his next choice; he must demonstrate leadership.”