A Question for Conservative Miers Opponents

As discussed just below, John Fund's piece in today's Wall Street Journal reports, based on anonymous sources, that Christian conservatives receive assurances that Miers would oppose Roe v. Wade. (I'll bet Laura Ingraham read gleefully Fund's piece on her show today.) Power Line comments about the story's impact:

In political terms, Fund's information increases the likelihood of solid
Democratic opposition to Miers and maybe a filibuster. I've always thought that, in the end, Democrats might well come down hard against Miers. First, quite apart from any assurances Dobson and others may have received, many liberals distrust nominees with deeply held traditional religious beliefs. Second, Miers was never going to testify in way that would give the Dems (and the influential interest groups that support them) comfort about Roe. Third, Miers is vulnerable in ways that Roberts was not, making it less risky to oppose her. Now, the likelihood of unified, forceful Democratic opposition is somewhat greater.

This may put conservative Republican Senators in a position to sink the nomination should they so chose. Indeed, if the Dems filibuster, conservative Senators could sink Miers without taking a strong anti-Miers position, simply by declining to get behind the nuclear option. But it's not clear yet whether the Dems in the gang of 14, who can effectively prevent a purely Democratic filibuster, would support the filibuster of a nominee who is less demonstrably conservative than the next one President Bush is likely (one hopes) to send up.

Now, my fellow conservatives, those who oppose the Miers nomination: Assuming the nomination goes forward to hearings and comes to a floor vote, and the Democrats filibuster because they think she is going to vote to overturn Roe, what do you want to happen?

• Do you want conservative Republicans to "lie back" in sufficient numbers to ensure the failure of her nomination?

• If that happens and Miers is not confirmed, do you think President Bush will be politically strong enough to push through any of the other goals you think are important for the country?

• How do you think other conservative Republicans who are unhappy that their president was stymied will feel about working with your side in the future?

• Do you care whether the president retains such strength?

I'd really like to know.