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Bush defends Miers as having same judicial philosophy

Posted on: Thursday, 20 October 2005, 11:37 CDT

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.

Source: REUTERS

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