Bush as Trumanesque?

William J. Stuntz makes a fascinating argument over at TNR online in which he compares President Bush with Harry Truman. His focus is on appointments, and at points he makes a compelling case. I would not take the analogy too far, however. truman could be willful. This entire administration, however, is characterized by its arrogance. there is a difference, and it manifests itself in an array of ways.

In any case, as I wrote yesterday, we do not know much about Miers' beliefs. But what we are beginning to see more and more of is that she simply is not qualified to be a Supreme Court Justice. Place Roberts' resume next to Miers' and the contrast is stark. I did not want the democrats to go after Roberts because whatever else, he was utterly qualified. But with Miers this is simply not the case. Even if she is more liberal (or at least moderate) than what the President might have up his sleeve as an alternate, Miers would be an embarrassment, and democrats need to start beating the competence drum now. The fact that many on the right seem to hate this nomination should not provide solace to liberals. This appointment is cronyism of the rankest sort. Forget about parsing a paper trail to divine what she feels about various litmus test issues. On a pure test of merit, Miers does not belong. For once the Democrats need to make competence the issue.