White House confident Miers will be confirmed to Supreme Court
Republicans said Democrat Charles Schumer cannot predict how the Republican-controlled Senate will decide Ms Miers’ fate. Many Republicans have yet to commit to approve President Bush’s second nominee to the high court.
Presidential spokesman Scott McClellan said Mr Bush is committed to sticking with Ms Miers until the Senate vote.
“He’s confident she will be confirmed because as senators come to know her like the president knows her, we’re confident they will recognise she will make an outstanding Supreme Court justice.”
Her confirmation hearings begin on November 7. Meanwhile, Mr Schumer, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee that will hold hearings on the nomination, said on Sunday that lawmakers of both parties are concerned about her independence and judicial philosophy.
“I think, if you were to hold the vote today, she would not get a majority, either in the Judiciary Committee or on the floor,” he said.
While Democrats pressed the White House to provide documents from Ms Miers’ work as the president’s counsel, Republicans said the nomination that has riled conservatives is neither in trouble nor in danger of being withdrawn.
Judiciary Committee chairman Republican Arlen Specter rejected the notion that the nomination was shaky. He said most senators are waiting for the hearings before making up their minds.
Ms Miers, a longtime Bush confidante who has never been a judge, was nominated to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. The choice has troubled some conservatives who say it was risky because Miers was a blank slate on issues such as abortion and gay rights.
Democrats, too, have expressed concerns about whether Ms Miers could sever her close ties to Bush and rule independently once on the bench.
Republicans hold a 10-8 majority in the committee.
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