PORTLAND – Sen. Olympia Snowe commended President Bush for nominating a woman, Harriet Miers, to the Supreme Court, while Sen. Susan Collins said the court could gain a fresh perspective from Miers’ experience in private law practice.

The two senators, who lined up with fellow Republicans last week in voting to confirm John Roberts as chief justice, said they will carefully examine Miers’ record and seek an understanding of her judicial philosophy as the confirmation process proceeds.

Miers, who serves as White House counsel, was described by Bush as a trailblazer for women in the legal profession. If confirmed, she would replace Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and become the third woman to serve on the court.

“I commend the president for embracing the spirit of diversity by nominating a woman to replace Justice O’Connor,” Snowe said in a statement.

“I also applaud his efforts to reach out to senators from both sides of the political aisle leading up to this nomination,” she said.

Snowe said a nominee should bring to the Supreme Court “a balanced approach to cases, possess a strong intellect and suitable judicial temperament, and follow a disciplined judicial methodology in reaching decisions.”

Snowe said she will keep in close contact with her colleagues – especially with the bipartisan group of 14 senators who developed a compromise to forestall a filibuster on recent judicial nominees. Snowe and Collins were both among the 14.

Collins said she understands from talking with people who know Miers that she has “a remarkable work ethic and was very well-respected as an attorney when she was in private practice.”

“I am intrigued by the idea of having someone with significant experience in private practice as well as government join the court because such a person can bring a fresh and practical perspective to the court’s decision-making process,” Collins said.