Bush Dodges Question on Miers and Roe v. Wade

Washington, DC -- During today's White House press conference, President Bush refused to say whether his nominee for retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's seat would uphold the fundamental freedom of a woman's right to choose. Contrary to President Bush's comments, Americans deserve to know whether Miers would shift the Court in a direction that would put our rights and liberties in jeopardy.

The president also refused to say whether he had ever discussed abortion with Harriet Miers, although she has worked for him for more than a decade. Miers served as his attorney, head of the Texas Lottery, and as a politically appointed lawyer in the White House. By all accounts, Miers is a close adviser and friend of the president.

"President Bush's press conference raised--not answered--questions for the American public about Harriet Miers. This administration and Harriet Miers have the burden of proving to the American people that she would continue Justice O'Connor's tradition of moderation and independence. Unfortunately, the president missed that opportunity in the Rose Garden today. President Bush continues to refer to Miers, who has served as his lawyer, as someone he has known and trusted for more than a decade. The President tried to avoid alarming America's pro-choice majority by being explicit about his expectations of Harriet Miers, but instead seemed to speak in code to his right-wing base. He assured them that Miers would be a 'strict constructionist' in interpreting the Constitution—a reference to dismantling or overturning Roe v. Wade. The president's decision to dodge questions today on fundamental American freedoms only reinforces the notion that he believes the public doesn't deserve to know as much as he does about a person who could serve a lifetime position on the nation's highest court," said Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America. 

Contact:
Ted Miller, 202.973.3032