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Virginia senators Warner and Allen divided on Miers' withdrawal from Supreme Court consideration

Date published: 10/28/2005

By MICHAEL ZITZ

The carefully measured statements of Virginia's two Republicans in the U.S. Senate reflected the division within the party after Harriet Miers withdrew as a nominee for the Supreme Court yesterday.

John Warner, Virginia's senior senator, was critical of the right wing of the party for going after White House counsel Miers immediately after President Bush nominated her.

"I deeply regret the withdrawal of Harriet Miers as a nominee to the Supreme Court before she was given a fair chance to express her views and credentials for this important position," Warner said in a statement. "In effect, she was denied due process by members of her own party."

Meanwhile, Sen. George Allen, who reportedly has been considering a run for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, issued a statement in step with Miers' opponents who contend she lacked certifiable credentials both as a conservative and as a constitutional scholar.

"I appreciate Harriet Miers' decision to withdraw her nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court," Allen said. "I wish her well as she continues to honorably serve our country in the White House.

"I believe that President Bush should now nominate a person with a demonstrable, clear, consistent and appropriate judicial philosophy," Allen continued. "This crucial vacancy marks an important opportunity for those of us who want to see a Supreme Court that will adhere to the Constitution and will not attempt to legislate from the bench."

The Rev. Patrick Mahoney, a Spotsylvania County resident who leads the Washington-based Christian Defense Coalition, commended Miers for withdrawing and sparing the country "what would have been a very contentious and, I think, at the end of the day, unproductive confirmation process.

"I think this is an extraordinary opportunity for the Bush White House to get it right this time," Mahoney said during a phone interview from New York.

He called Miers "a talented woman," but added: "It was a disaster for the White House to nominate her. It splintered the coalition that helped elect the president in '04."

Many conservative Christians want Bush's Supreme Court nominees to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 abortion-rights ruling.

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Date published: 10/28/2005