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Critics Continue Attacks Against Miers

The conservative uprising over the U.S. Supreme Court nomination of Harriet Miers intensified this weekend, with influential Republicans predicting a tough confirmation battle in the Senate and some calling for her name to be withdrawn. Democrats haven`t held fire over the nomination, but have left most of the criticism to Republicans, welcoming an intra-Republican fight at a time of low poll numbers for a Republican president and scandals involving Republican congressional representatives.

Conservatives are continuing the debate over Miers? legal qualifications and conservative credentials. Speaking on TV, Pat Buchanan, the conservative commentator and former presidential candidate, called on President Bush to withdraw her name. The nomination is largely seen as illegitimate due to Mrs. Miers being a close confidant of the President and this is seen as favoritism over other more qualified candidates.

Senator Arlen Specter, the chairman of the key Senate committee that will hold her nomination hearings next month, made clear that he remains skeptical about her qualifications. Miers, a corporate lawyer from Texas, has never been a judge and has limited experience of constitutional law. She did, however, serve on the presidential search team which contributed to John Roberts being nominated to the Supreme Court, on which he now serves as Chief Justice.