The Supreme Court buzz earlier today was all about Alberto Gonzales (a trial balloon that I think failed badly once again), then Miguel Estrada, then Karen Williams. Now there’s an AP story out that adds pretty much every attorney in the United States.

Estrada was burned during the hearings and has little stomach for the process — he was twice nominated and twice filibustered. He’s a stealth candidate who is rumored to be pro-life. Estrada allegedly told associates of the National Organization of Women (NOW) at a luncheon in 1994 that he believes abortion to be murder — but are we really going to believe anything that NOW says? And why would Miguel Estrada be lunching with members of NOW in the first place? It doesn’t quite pass the smell test.

Karen Williams is 54 years old and hails from South Carolina. The 4th Circuit Court on which she serves is known as the most conservative federal circuit court in the country. She allegedly hails from a family of old-style Democrats but there are a lot of southern families who won’t vote Republican because of what the Republicans did to great-great-grandpappy during Reconstruction. Her opinions in the Dickerson case and on Myers v. Loudon County Public Schools suggest that she is a conservative in the strict constructionist mold of Clarence Thomas. 

The AP story quotes Jay Sekulow (here and here) as saying that Harriet Miers’ name has been mentioned “fairly significantly” over the past few days. Bush has a history of appointing loyal, longtime friends to high positions but my spidey sense is now telling me that Bush is not going to appoint an old “crony.” I think now that Texans are probably out, too, meaning that Priscilla Owen may have to wait for another chance.

Bush said Monday that he “will pick a person who can do the job” and that he is “mindful that diversity is one of the strengths of the country….” It goes against my color-blind and gender-blind leanings but I’m okay with the notion of not appointing another white guy. There are plenty of good women and minority candidates out there and it’s good PR for conservatives to show that one doesn’t have to be a white male to be a strong, conservative leader. What with the antics of Michael Jackson and rap stars, heaven knows that minority kids need good role models.

James Taranto is pushing Viet Dinh, who is a long-shot but would be an excellent choice. Asian-Americans are a fast-growing and often prosperous minority but are conspicuously absent from government positions. Erick at Confirm Them is giving up on picking the inside shot. I can’t say that I blame him.