Pro-Life Groups Applaud Harriet Miers Supreme Court Withdrawal 
Email this article
Printer friendly page
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
October 27, 2005
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — With two recent speeches raising new questions about Harriet Miers’ views on abortion, most pro-life groups were pleased Thursday at her decision to withdraw herself as a nominee for the Supreme Court. Pro-life advocates hope for a new nominee with a more clear picture of their abortion views and a judicial track record.
"We believe that far better qualified candidates were overlooked and that Miss Miers’ record fails to answer our questions about her qualifications and constitutional philosophy," said Jan LaRue, chief counsel for Concerned Women for America.
The group "look[s] forward to a nomination that we can wholeheartedly endorse," she said.
Meanwhile, Austin Ruse of the Culture of Life Foundation said his group "praised" Miers’ decision to withdraw.
"We eagerly await the President’s next nominee to the Supreme Court. We fully expect the President to choose a nominee who is a judicial conservative, one who will strictly interpret the Constitution," Ruse said.
Ruse said pro-life groups were not unified on the Miers’ nomination because of the numerous questions about her abortion stance. Some information seems to paint Miers as a pro-life advocate while the speeches and the lack of a clear paper trail on the issue didn’t help her cause.
"The very potent conservative coalition — that worked so well during the Roberts nomination process — sadly was shattered in recent weeks," Ruse explained. "We have no doubt this powerful coalition with gather again for the President’s next nominee."
Wendy Wright of Concerned Women for America cited the two speeches in comments Wednesday urging Miers to withdraw. She said the speeches made her group further question Miers’ pro-life views.
"Though she attends an Evangelical church known for its pro-life position, during the same time period she advanced radical feminists and organizations that promote agendas that undermine respect for life and family," said Wendy Wright.
"This drives us to rely upon her actions, her deeds, her words as opposed to the endorsements of those who have worked with and known her," Wright added.
