Kate O'Beirne to Harriet Miers

Who said the people at NRO are all mean and spiteful?

Harriet, the hearings are going to be an embarrassing disaster. You’re being asked to do something you can’t reasonably be expected to do. You are not protected by a sterling resume or years of experience that put gaps in your knowledge or mistakes about cases in proportion. The smart money is betting you won’t be confirmed. (Are you being told that?)

Your decision to accept the nomination was ill-considered. If you accepted owing to your desire to help the president, you should know that nomination has only damaged him. That is the last thing a loyalist like you would ever want to be responsible for. It’s not your fault. As the ads say, even the best of presidents can make mistakes and your boss was poorly served by others on his staff. Someone should have insisted that you be put through the vetting wringer. Your paper trail should have been thoroughly reviewed by veteran screeners who don’t work directly for you. The negative reaction should have been foreseen and you should have been told about the angry opponents your nomination would generate.

Maybe the past three weeks have taught you something. Maybe you love your current job, your current boss, and your supportive colleagues. Maybe this ordeal is too unpleasant, personal, and divisive to persevere with for a job you have never had any interest in.

A friend only concerned with your well-being would tell you to withdraw. Issue a simple statement about the divisiveness among the president’s fellow loyal supporters and explain that you enjoy your current life. You’re grateful for the support you have received and trust it will be there for another nominee you will do everything in your power to assist.

Then resolve to work less and spend more time with your caring friends. We all need them.

Sincerely,

Your Friend