Oct. 3 (Bloomberg)—U.S. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid said he is "very happy" with President George W. Bush's nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court.
Reid, a Nevada Democrat, told reporters in Washington that he's "very happy we have someone like" Miers, an attorney with no experience as a judge, as Bush's selection to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. The lawmaker said the "broad outline" of her qualifications "looks good to me."
Reid stopped short of saying he had recommended Miers, the White House counsel, saying he had talked about her positively to Bush administration officials. Earlier today, Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter, a Pennsylvania Republican, said Reid had mentioned her name to Bush as a possible nominee.
Bush chose Miers, a fellow Texan and longtime confidant, this morning. If confirmed by the Senate, Miers, 60, would help determine the court's direction on abortion, affirmative action, gay rights and congressional power, issues on which O'Connor often cast the pivotal vote. She would become the third woman ever to sit on the high court.