RedState's Erick Erickson reports on yesterday's RNC conference call between Ken Mehlman and a small group of conservative bloggers critical of the Miers nomination (most of whom remain unswayed). Here's the part that caught my eye:[...]…

I had good teachers. No, I realy liked the question – it was to a critical point. And it was a demand for something tangible instead of a rehash or talking points. It was good.

The fact Mehlman did not answer indicates it was a good question – one that caused hesitancy.

Probing allies is not easy or fun. Personally, I am like AE in that I would like to stay on the outside somewhat. At a minimum it helps me keep a good ear to the ground relative to what the rest of the non-politically addicted are thinking!

As for the issue of no follow-up, I can tell you that time was limited…only eight bloggers had a chance to ask questions, myself among them, and speaking only for myself, I was cognizant of not hogging the time. This was a thirty-minute call (really about 27 minutes or so) and the Q&A was probably 20 minutes. I personally was grateful for the opportunity, and would gladly participate again if asked to…

I can’t see how Mehlman was such a terrific salesman from your summation. He’s a paid shill. Did anyone actually believe he would say anything other than that Harriet Miers was the bee’s knees? c’mon.

I also can’t believe there was no follow-up on the issue of Miers’ recusal from all the GWOT issues. Even Thomas has problems with some of the things the admin has been doing in the name of protecting us from terrorists.

While conceding that Miss Miers may have to recuse herself from a few cases, he said this was a short-term problem and the GWOT is a generational affair. Mehlman spoke of his disgust that activist judges are micromanaging decisions at, for example, Gitmo, decisions that should be properly made by a branch of government accountable to the electorate, in this case the Executive Branch.

A short term problem? What happens when all the cases she has to recuse from become precedent for the rest of the GWOT cases? You think Judge “Stare Decisis” Roberts is going to be keen on flip-flopping the court after Miers decides she can deal with these issues?

“activist judges” micromanaging gitmo? We’re talking huge constitutional issues here. How is that “micromanaging”? As for accountability to the electorate, George Bush is no longer accountable to the electorate, so that answer doesn’t wash.