Senators reject Miers critics

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Senate Republicans yesterday dismissed conservative leaders' adamant opposition to the Supreme Court nomination of Harriet Miers.

"This is absurd," said Sen. Mike DeWine, the Ohio Republican who sits on the Judiciary Committee. "We need to move on to hearings."

Some senators -- especially those viewed as seeking the Republican nomination for president in 2008 -- defended the right of conservatives to weigh in on the nomination. But several Republicans said the conservatives are not offering anything constructive.

"It's awfully hard to be critical of something you know nothing about," said Sen. Larry E. Craig, Idaho Republican.

Many conservatives say Miss Miers -- President Bush's White House counsel -- lacks a clear and solid record of conservative jurisprudence and could wind up being wooed by the liberal wing of the Supreme Court.

Anger at Mr. Bush from his conservative base has only intensified since the nomination was announced three weeks ago. And yesterday, a group of conservative leaders organized an effort to force the White House to withdraw the nomination, a scenario the White House rejected.

"Enough is enough," Mr. DeWine said. "If I pick up one more paper and read about one more group that I've never heard of saying they're for Miers or against Miers -- it just doesn't matter at this point."

Manuel Miranda, who has helped organize much of the opposition to Miss Miers, said this battle will not be forgotten by the Republican base.

"Mike DeWine is going to lose in Ohio, and he should be more aware of grass-roots sentiment," Mr. Miranda said. "Mike DeWine doesn't have a great deal of conservative support in Ohio and ham-fisted remarks aren't going to help with that."

Democrats continued to remain silent on the nomination, eagerly watching Republican officials openly sparring with their staunchest supporters.