Miers' Abortion Views Could Have Quick Impact on Supreme Court

WASHINGTON (AP) - New revelations about Harriet Miers' views on abortion hint she would shift the Supreme Court away from abortion rights, more so than new Chief Justice John Roberts. The impact could be almost immediate.

If confirmed by the Senate, the 60-year-old who has never served as a judge would probably be thrust into a tie-breaking role on abortion cases - possibly in her first week. The court will consider reinstating a New Hampshire abortion law next month.

While her vote would not be enough to overturn Roe v. Wade, President Bush's pick would play a crucial role in deciding how far states and the federal government can go to restrict abortions.

"She will not disappoint the president early out of the box," said John Baker, a law professor at Louisiana State University.

Miers would replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the architect of a 1992 compromise that barred abortion restrictions that impose an "undue burden" on women. Because of O'Connor's influence, including her vote in a 5-4 decision in 2000 that limited state power to ban "partial-birth" abortions, the subject has become a focus of the fight over her replacement.

Conservative religious leaders contend they have received assurances that Miers opposes abortion, and information released Tuesday by senators showed that in 1989 Miers pledged support for a possible constitutional amendment that would ban abortions except when necessary to save the life of the mother.

[Entire Story]

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