Here's my nominee for Supreme Court

If President Bush wants some advice from me - and rest assured, he doesn't - he might just look to former Missouri Senator and former United Nations Ambassador John Danforth as his nominee to the Supreme Court. Few men in America today generate the respect and admiration as much as Jack Danforth. And with good reason.

Given the events of the past week, the President has managed to accomplish the near-impossible - he has ruffled the feathers of both the conservative and liberals leaders in Washington. That's no small feat. The derailed nomination of Harriet Miers apparently unfolded because she was not conservative enough for some and not liberal enough for others.

I note that Danforth has always been called a moderate - a term that most conservatives and liberals believe defines a middle-of-the-road politician. Well, we all could spend months exploring Danforth's votes in the Senate or his support for Clarence Thomas, etc. It matters little. What does matter is that Danforth is a man of principle, a man of integrity and character and a brilliant mind at a time when a brilliant mind just might come in handy in Washington.

Granted, this is all a pipe dream. Danforth has returned home to Missouri and he says his days in the political spotlight are over. I take him at his word. But I can't help but believe a phone call from President Bush might not pry Danforth back into the frying pan for one last hurrah.

I once suggested Danforth would make an excellent president or vice president. His lovely wife, Sally, hasn't spoken to me since. Well, that's not exactly true but Jack Danforth is not one to seek attention. His strength of character simply attracts attention because his kind is a rare commodity these days.

Danforth has been called on in the service of this country more than any single living American. If he never served one more single day of public service, his list of accomplishments would put him at the top tier of those dedicated to America. And yes indeed, the honorable Mr. Danforth deserves to return home and savor the footprints he has left on this nation. His legacy is assured. End of story.

But if the President wants to remove the partisan rhetoric from Washington over his next selection to the high court, I have just provided him with his answer. The truth is, Jack Danforth might well cast votes with which I disagree. But I know he would vote with honesty and integrity and an overwhelmingly sincere desire to do the right thing.

I don't care about the political labels. In fact, in recent months I've seen a whole lot of conservatives vote just like their liberal counterparts. So drop the labels and give me a Supreme Court justice who will act in good faith on behalf of the American public. Give me a Supreme Court justice to whom family values are a way of life, not campaign slogans. And finally, give me a Supreme Court justice who recognizes the delicate role that faith plays in our process of government.

Sorry Mrs. Danforth, but I sure wish you would share your husband with us just one more time.