Bush taps Harriet Miers for court

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President Bush yesterday nominated White House counsel Harriet Miers to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, reaching into his inner circle of loyal advisers to choose a woman he once described as "a pit bull in size 6 shoes."

If confirmed by the Senate, the 60-year-old Miss Miers, who is a lawyer but has never been a judge and has the slimmest of paper trails, would be the third woman to serve on the nation's highest court.

"She has devoted her life to the rule of law and the cause of justice," Mr. Bush said in an Oval Office ceremony with the nominee.

"I believe that senators of both parties will find that Harriet Miers' talent, experience and judicial philosophy make her a superb choice to safeguard the constitutional liberties and equality of all Americans," he said.

The stealth candidate received praise from Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, who had recommended that Mr. Bush consider Miss Miers.

"I like Harriet Miers," Mr. Reid said. "The Supreme Court would benefit from the addition of a justice who has real experience as a practicing lawyer."

In accepting the nomination, Miss Miers said she appreciates "the wisdom of those who drafted our Constitution and conceived our nation as functioning with three strong and independent branches."

"If confirmed, I recognize that I will have a tremendous responsibility to keep our judicial system strong and help ensure that the courts meet their obligations to strictly apply the law and the Constitution," she said.

Some conservatives questioned Miss Miers' credentials. Manuel Miranda of the Third Branch Conference said she has "no judicial record" and called her "possibly the most unqualified choice" in almost 40 years.

The Family Research Council counseled a "wait and see" approach, and Concerned Women for America said she deserved "the benefit of the doubt." A few Republican lawmakers such as Sens. Sam Brownback of Kansas and John Thune of South Dakota withheld endorsement.