October 13, 2005

StreetTalk

by Carol Rosen

President Bush has chosen Harriet E. Miers as Sandra Day O’Connor’s replacement on the Supreme Court. What do you think of Miers and do you think she will have a hard time getting confirmed?
(Asked at Almaden Center)


“I do believe she’ll be confirmed. I’m happy he selected a woman to replace Sandra Day O’Connor because it keeps a gender balance on the court. Even though she hasn’t been a judge, she still has experience with the law. A lot of the early Supreme Court justices weren’t judges before they went to the Supreme Court. I think she’s qualified.”

Gary Baker, 55
Almaden
Sales and marketing


“I think John Roberts was an excellent choice, there was no doubt about him and his experience. I think she’s too close to the White House; the president is giving her a gift. She’s got experience, a lot of good experience, but not enough or the type necessary to be a Supreme Court judge, and I’m a Republican. I don’t think she’ll get in.”

Paul Baker, 78
Eastern Shore, Md.
Retired from the NTSB


“I wish I was more confident in her abilities than to think she’s just a good friend of George W. I don’t have a problem with her lack of experience; the Supreme Court should be diversified. Not everyone needs to be a judge to be a good judge. Some of the best Supreme Court judges weren’t judges before they were selected to the court. I don’t think she will be confirmed quickly, and I don’t know that she will be confirmed at all. I partly think President Bush did this because he thought if he chose Miers [and she wasn’t confirmed] then his next selection might be easier to get through. Although my husband says he didn’t think George W. was that smart!”

Karen Jackson, 52
Almaden
Retired


“I think she should have a little more experience. It’s always good to know what’s going on and know how to answer questions about different situations. I’m not sure that she will be confirmed. Bush nominated her and she is a Bush crony. I think she’s going to have a hard time [getting confirmed]. I don’t think the people against Bush are going to go easy on her.”

Chanel Nijmeh, 14
Almaden
Freshman at Leland High


“I don’t know a lot about her. I don’t like the fact that she doesn’t have judicial experience. It should be required for the job. I don’t think the confirmation process will be quick, and she won’t be confirmed. I don’t think she’s a strong enough [candidate] to get confirmed.”

Matt Logan, 33
Gilroy
Owner/agent Allstate Insurance at Camden and Almaden Expressway


“As for the experience, there’s no reason she couldn’t be a good judge. But as for her confirmation, it will be difficult at best because she doesn’t have the background or the experience to be more than a political appointee. I don’t know enough about her to say anything with any validity. I will rely on the senators to do that. Sandra Day O’Connor did an excellent job.”

Ron Layman, 72
Almaden
Retired


“I’m neutral about it because I’m not real big on politics. I don’t know much about her. I do think it’s odd that she wasn’t a judge before; maybe she should have a little experience as a judge before she goes on the Supreme Court. I think she will be confirmed, but I don’t know how long it will take.”

Stephanie Panek, 19
Almaden / Student at DeAnza College


“I like her as a nominee because she’s a woman, but I don’t like it that she’s never been a judge because there are a lot more judges that are qualified that have been on the bench for a long time. I don’t know if she will be confirmed because of all the negative publicity we’ve heard. Some people like her and some don’t.”

Carmen Badel, under 50
Almaden / Publishes magazines for Los Gatos Christian Church