Not once but twice in his opening statement did Sen. Patrick Leahy (D.-Vt.) attack the "extreme right."
As I wrote about earlier, he blasted the "extreme right" for their unflattering view of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. But later in his statement, he also attacked the "extreme right" about Harriet Miers' withdrawal as a nominee.
"Last October, the President succumbed to partisan pressure from the extreme right of his party by withdrawing his nomination of Harriet Miers. By withdrawing her nomination and substituting this one, the President has allowed his choice to be vetoed by an extreme faction within his party, before hearings or a vote.
"That eye-opening experience for the country demonstrated what a vocal faction of the Republican Party really wants: They do not want an independent federal judiciary. They demand judges who will guarantee the results that they want."
Actually, Sen. Leahy, it wasn't just an extreme wing of the GOP that didn't support Miers. It was virtually the entire base, with the exception of those who have blind loyalty to President Bush.
And as for your claim about an "independent federal judiciary," it just doesn't make sense. Given Miers' record, it was quite clear that she was inclined to do what Bush wanted - that's why he picked her.
