Bush defends Miers as having same judicial philosophy

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President George W. Bush, trying to
soothe critics from his own Republican Party, said on Thursday
he was fulfilling a campaign promise by nominating Harriet
Miers to the Supreme Court because she shared his judicial
philosophy.

Bush’s pick has been criticized by members of his own
political party who say they do not know how she would rule on
issues important to conservatives because she has never been a
judge.

U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter, a
Pennsylvania Republican, on Wednesday criticized Miers’ written
answers to a questionnaire as “insufficient” and complained
about a “chaotic” confirmation process so far.

But Bush has steadfastly defended Miers, who is the White
House counsel, and said he picked her because she had never
been a judge and would bring a “fresh outlook” to the bench.

“She will strictly interpret the Constitution,” Bush said
at a news conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

“I said that when I ran for president. I said, ‘If you
elect me, I will name people that will have that judicial
philosophy,”‘ Bush said.

He said the questionnaire shows Miers’ judicial philosophy,
which was the main reason he chose her for the Supreme Court.

“But out of this will come a clear picture of a competent,
strong, capable woman who shares the same judicial philosophy
that I share,” Bush said.