Miers' open secret

More evidence emerges that Harriet Miers is a staunch opponent of abortion. Yet White House Spokesmonkey Scott McClellan (not to mention Bush) continues to claim they have no idea where she stands on the issue. Wouldn't want to have a litmus test, you know.

It raises a question that comes up a lot under this administration: are they lying, or just incompetent?

WASHINGTON - Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers pledged support in 1989 for a constitutional amendment banning abortions except when necessary to save the life of the mother, according to material given to the Senate on Tuesday.

"If Congress passes a Human Life Amendment to the Constitution that would prohibit abortion except when it was necessary to prevent the death of the mother, would you actively support its ratification by the Texas Legislature," asked an April 1989 questionnaire sent out by the Texans United for Life group.

Miers checked "yes" to that question, and all of the group's questions, including whether she would oppose the use of public moneys for abortions and whether she would use her influence to keep "pro-abortion" people off city health boards and commissions.