Our Principles

President Bush has nominated his longtime attorney and current White House Counsel Harriet Miers to replace Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court.

Justice O'Connor was a pivotal figure on the court and a champion of fundamental rights and freedoms. Americans expect nothing less from her successor with so many issues hanging in the balance.

The Senate and the American people will be closely watching the confirmation process to understand where Miers stands.

Right now we know next to nothing about the legal philosophy of the person President Bush has selected to cast deciding votes on the most difficult issues confronting our nation.

America can not afford a replay of the unrevealing confirmation process that preceded Chief Justice Roberts' confirmation.

Given how little we know about this nominee other than her work as the President's lawyer, the White House needs to disclose all documents requested by the Judiciary Committee, and Ms. Miers needs to explain her thoughts on constitutional interpretation.

Without a meaningful exchange during the confirmation hearings, there is no way to know how Ms. Miers views the Constitution, whether she's a strict constructionist in the mold of Justices Scalia and Thomas or whether she will protect fundamental rights and liberties.


http://www.johnkerry.com/