Dems Jumping to Miers Defense

I don't know about you, but this doesn't make me feel any more comfortable about the Miers nomination:

Some Senate Democrats are jumping in the middle of a Republican fray to defend Harriet Miers from conservative criticism that she isn't qualified to serve on the Supreme Court.

That doesn't mean Democrats will vote to approve President Bush's longtime confidante for the high court or give her an easy time at a Senate confirmation hearing.

Behind the scenes, a half-dozen aides to Senate Democrats _ speaking on condition of anonymity to protect their jobs _ admit that they are enjoying watching the GOP's right wing beat up the president. None will say whether their bosses feel the same way _ or might be insincere when they heap praise on Miers and call her critics unfair.

"All the trashing is coming from the right wing of the Republican Party," Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, said in a conference call with reporters. "I really think it's despicable what they're doing."

Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, D-Md., accused critics of Miers' nomination of being "incredibly sexist."

"They're saying a woman who was one of the first to head up a major law firm with over 400 lawyers doesn't have intellectual heft," Mikulski said. "I find this a double standard."

More unusual is the outright praise from some Democrats for the person who would replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, a critical moderate vote on abortion, affirmative action and other close rulings.

"I like what I hear so far," said Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark.

The endorsement from Harry Reid didn't help either.