Pro-Abortion Groups Say Harriet Miers Pro-Life Survey Raises Problems 
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
October 19, 2005
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — Abortion advocacy groups have been looking for something concrete on which to start a campaign to oppose Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers. They may have found it with a 1989 survey Miers completed when she ran for the Dallas city council. Miers indicated she supported a constitutional amendment prohibiting virtually all abortions.
Responding to the news, Planned Parenthood issued a statement saying the questionnaire "raises serious doubts about Miers’ commitment to upholding constitutional protections for [abortion]."
"The U.S. public has been given a confusing picture of Miers’ position on vital issues," the nation’s largest abortion business said. "This nominee must be questioned closely about a record that seems to clearly oppose basic American freedoms."
Other abortion advocacy groups agreed.
"Harriet Miers’ inconsistency and evasiveness continue to generate confusion and concern. Miers must give direct answers on these critical questions as she pursues a lifetime appointment on the Supreme Court," NARAL president Nancy Keenan said in a statement.
Keenan said she hopes abortion advocates will remember that President Bush appointed Miers to replace pro-abortion Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, one of six judges who voted to uphold Roe and the deciding vote on the issue of partial-birth abortions.
The Feminist Majority Foundation says it would be a concern for those who favor abortion if Miers replaced O’Connor and then voted to overturn Roe v. Wade.
"With the O’Connor seat as the decisive vote on numerous 5-4 decisions, the public, especially women, deserves to know much more about Harriet Miers," said Eleanor Smeal. "This time, the Senate must not only ask tough questions, but if there are no answers, Senators must not confirm her for a lifetime appointment."
