Surrendering Smartly

Admitting mistakes is not much fun. It probably hurts even more when the entire world is watching. But, it appears as though the White House is at least considering the idea that the Harriet Miers nomination may have been a mistake.

Read about it in the Washington Times.

I only have one footnote to add. Withdrawing the nomination can be done with several evident attitudes, and I know that the President has a difficult time admitting mistakes. However, if he does withdraw this nomination, I want him to do so in a manner that will make some political hay. Realistically he is not going to blame Harriet Miers, and he should not. The possibility exists however that he might try and blame this fiasco, not on his choice, but on the reactions of conservatives to his choice. This would be a big mistake.

The conservative base is not ashamed of its conservatism and is not afraid to say so. We wear our conservatism on our sleeves. We think that our political ideology has merit and is something that is worth promoting in a frontal assault, not through slight of hand tricks that this nomination employed.

Mr. President, lets get the snowball rolling down hill again. When you withdraw the nomination, do so and admit you were at fault. Heap praise on Harriet Miers. Praise those that supported her. But, also, praise those who spoke their mind from the conservitive wing. Thank them for taking you to task, for jarring your thoughts, frankly, thank them for that good slap upside the head you just received, because you needed it.

Then, in the next few days nominate Michael Luttig, Janice Rogers Brown or another documented originalist to the bench. The best thing about admitting mistakes and correcting them is the forgiveness that follows.