To Get to No, Say Yes

Despite a couple emails I'm getting from partisans on my side, if Democrats want to stop Harriet Miers from getting on the Supreme Court, then we shouldn't oppose her vocally. If a Democrat becomes the focus of opposition, then her appointment becomes a customary R-vs.-D battle. At that point, all the Republicans will fall in line, like they always have before. Remember what John Podesta said about any strategy that depended on moderate Republicans: It means you need a different strategy. Once a Democrat, any Democrat, takes a stand against her, all (or virtually all) the Republicans will abandon their qualms and support her.

Instead, the most effective Democratic opposition available is Harry Reid’s support--unless Hillary Clinton is willing to champion Miers, which would trump Reid and really drive the ‘wingers crazy. Thus, my not-so-contrarian conclusion: The best way to stop Miers is to have Hillary Clinton support her. You read it here first.