dear

When exactly did Harriet Miers turn from being the best available candidate to take a lifelong appointment on the highest court in our nation into somebody kicked to the curb and not even adequate to serve anymore as White House counsel?

Back when she was nominated, in October ’05, she was the greatest thing since sliced bread and was going to be a vital addition to the Supreme Court. From MSNBC:

“She has devoted her life to the rule of law and the cause of justice,” Bush said, announcing his choice from the Oval Office with Miers at his side. “She will be an outstanding addition to the Supreme Court of the United States.”

and according to Bush she was

“a trusted adviser on whom I have long relied for straightforward advice.”

Now, after six years in the position, White House spokesman Tony Snow, when asked why she was leaving, said:

“Basically, she has been here six years.”

In a near-future likely to be marked by more than a couple subpoenas and hearings, and in the midst of the current legal tussle over whether or not the White House visitation logs kept by the Secret Service are presidential papers or governmental papers, it sounds to me like somebody is starting to “lawyer up”.