Tom and I were discussing this briefly last night at NIN. I agree that this was calculated. I believe that no one actually seriously thought Miers had a chance, and that she played sacrificial lamb for the sake of distracting the media away from the Delay and Plame situations.

I share your view. It's a pretty easy one to come to as well. If you put out a nomination that embodies everything that isn't liked about your administration, they take all the heat. That leaves the administration free to work on what it's really concerned with in the background. It also robs the public of a chance to address those real concerns. It's pretty shady, but damn effective.

I didn't hear much talk about the fellow who is following Greenspan. That may be of the same importance as a seat on the court. It's one of those things that only history will reveal. If you look at the role Greenspan played over his tenure, it can be viewed with that level of importance.

How as the NIN show? What was Trent's set like?

The next candidate will be very serious indeed, but will have the same distracting effect as the real battles ensue.

At least this time the battles might have a purpose. So far, it's been wasted time. Not only that, but the arguments that get dropped with Miers drop off the administration's chest. Maybe..

RE: Ann Coulter on Miers Withdrawal: It's Morning in America!