Miers Gets Raincheck From Brownback

Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS), one of the most ardent opponents of abortion, stated yesterday that he was "not fully convinced" that Harriet Miers had earned his support, as her stances on abortion and, with all probability, other social issues such as gay rights and affirmative action, are dubious.

So who's going to vote against this woman? Could we have a potential left-right opposition coalition? Will the liberal wing of the Democratic Party and the reactionary side of the GOP vote against her because nobody understands her stance on abortion? Is this is the case, then why did John Roberts get such broad support from the Republican caucus? Does Brownback know something that we don't know?

With all probability, Brownback's potential opposition status stems from a variety of issues, not simply the abortion one. He is wary of Mier's history of supporting gay rights, her understanding of defendant's rights, and her history as a moderate in the party, which she joined after being a lifelong Democrat. Brownback, like much of the GOP in Congress, is threatened by the possibility that justices who sympathize with the disenfranchised or the misrepresented could be interpreting the constitution for the country. My guess is that Mier's is too much of a do-gooder for him.

However, I've completely ignored the political aspects thusfar. Brownback has toyed with the notion of running for president, and nothing would suit him better for the Republican primary than to show the base that he's willing to take on any form of waffling on important social issues.