If there’s one Republican senator on the Judiciary Committee who might oppose Miers, it would probably be Sen. Tom Coburn (R.-Okla.).
(That’s not to say Senators Sam Brownback (R.-Kan.) and Jeff Sessions (R.-Ala.) don’t have the courage to do so, but Coburn has show the most willingness to defy the administration on principle.)
Here’s Coburn’s brief statement:
Harriet Miers deserves a fair and thorough hearing and confirmation process. I look forward to learning more about her qualifications and judicial philosophy in the coming days.
That’s far from a glowing endorsement, and coupled with Sen. John Thune’s (R.-S.D.) missive from earlier today—
The nomination and confirmation process of Judge Roberts was a fine example of the Senate performing its Constitutional responsibility of advice and consent. Just as Judge Roberts received a fair up-or-down vote after a thorough examination by both Republicans and Democrats, I expect the same treatment for Harriet Miers. However, I will reserve judgment on this nominee until the Senate studies her qualifications. It has been my expectation that President Bush would nominate someone in the mold of Justices Scalia and Thomas and it is my hope that Harriet Miers will prove to be such a person
—there might be a few GOP senators ready to buck the administration.
