Potential questions

Public Advocate, a conservative group concerned that Supreme Court nominee Harriet E. Miers lacks credentials on social issues important to the religious right, is urging the Senate Judiciary Committee to ask Miers very specific questions to determine whether she has the constitutional background to serve on the Supreme Court. Some observers say the group is trying to get Miers to commit a legal gaffe, which could turn senators against her.

A sampling of Public Advocate's questions:

Legal philosophy

Have you ever read Thomas Jefferson's preamble to his 1786 bill establishing religious freedom in Virginia? If so, what was Jefferson's view of the foundation for freedom of religion?

What is your understanding of the phrase ''laws of nature and of nature's God" that appears in the first paragraph of the Declaration of Independence?

Do you agree with former chief justice Earl Warren that the Eighth Amendment prohibiting cruel and unusual punishment ''draws its meaning from the evolving standards of decency that mark the progress of a maturing society"?

Constructionist

The word religion appears in the First Amendment to the Constitution. What would be a strict construction of the meaning of that word?

What if the Supreme Court's prior interpretation of the Constitution is wrong? Would that be a good and sufficient reason for a strict constructionist to overrule an opinion based upon a wrong interpretation?

Judicial behavior

As you presently understand it, please describe the decision-making process of the Supreme Court.

What is your understanding of the constitutional standard of good behavior required by Article III of the Constitution of all judicial officers of the United States?

SOURCE: Publicadvocateusa.org

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