Is Harriet Miers about to lose one of her last high-profile supporters?
On Wednesday, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins told National Review Online that “The latest information we’ve received, her comments on abortion, raise concerns. But our position remains the same. We think all of the president’s nominees should have a chance to appear before the Senate. But she will have to explain herself.”
While talking to NRO, Perkins used the phrase “wait and see” three times regarding the Miers nomination, but did little to hide his group’s disappointment with what is publicly known about Miers so far. “I understand the frustration and disappointment people are feeling. We didn’t have to come to this point where people are left guessing about her judicial philosophy. After two or three decades of work, the conservative movement has made it pretty clear what we are looking for in a nominee. We are simply choosing to wait and see.”
Perkins added, “Those who support her nomination and those who don’t both have the right to do so. We are troubled by the information that is coming forth. We would like nothing more than to support Harriet Miers if she is a nominee whose judicial philosophy is one of restraint. But we’re not there yet. Philosophy is the number one concern. Someone doesn’t have to be a judge. Her lack of experience is not an overriding factor.”
Perkins seems be standing on the principle that any of President Bush’s judicial nominees are entitled to a hearing before the Judiciary Committee and an up or down vote. But that doesn’t mean he’s against her withdrawal.
When asked if withdrawing the Miers nomination would hurt President Bush politically, or would damage the chances of confirming a more qualified, more conservative nominee, Perkins was clear, “We trust President Bush, but no, I don’t think it would. If that were to happen, the best thing the administration could do is to put forth a very solid candidate with impeccable credentials and a clear philosophy. They could nominate someone that could become a beacon for conservatives to unite behind.”
In addition to being president of the FRC, Perkins is part of the Arlington Group, a coalition of pro-life leaders who took part in an October 3rd conference call discussing the Miers nomination. Two Texas judges who know Miers also took part in the call and made statements that many feel were coded assurances that Miers would vote to overturn Roe v. Wade. Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Arlen Specter has threatened to subpoena Perkins, along with other conference-call members such as Focus on the Family’s James Dobson, former presidential candidate Gary Bauer, and the American Family Association’s Don Wildmon. In an appearance on CBS’s Face the Nation, Specter said, “My instinct is that they’ll be called, and the American people are entitled to clarification.”
Perkins says he does not mind testifying before the committee, but questions Specter’s motivation, calling it “political grandstanding,” and asking what practical use it would serve, “If they want us to come, we would be happy to do that. At the same time, the pretext is a bit odd. We simply had a conference call with other like-minded individuals. You have to wonder if they are overstepping their grounds here. After all, there were no government officials involved, no senators, no one from the White House.”
Bauer and Dobson have also publicly questioned Specter’s move. Dobson says he would have nothing to add not already discussed on his radio program. Bauer adds that if he is called to testify, he feels left-wing groups opposed to many of President Bush’s nominees should be required to do the same.
I asked Perkins if he believes members of the Arlington Group have been portrayed unfairly by the media, “We’ve not been treated unfairly. Though a lot more has been made of it than probably should have been. What do people think individuals who push for specific issues and policy proposals would be talking about? That those issues would come up should not be a surprise to anyone. If anything, it should be expected.”
While Perkins publicly maintains his “wait and see” approach, like many conservatives, he’s not in a comfortable position. Perkins sought to downplay dissent within his organization, but did not deny its presence, “Anytime you are the spokesman for a group, you are pretty much going to be hearing the same things that you are saying. However, we are also hearing a lot of frustration and disappointment about the Miers nomination. Many are opposed to her nomination and our approach, but most support our decision to wait and see.” If the past few weeks are any indication however, as we continue to learn more about the president’s nominee, that may become an increasingly difficult position to maintain.
–Eric Pfeiffer reports for National Review Online.