I wouldn't qualify supporting Bush as dissent on Free Republic! Also, I wasn't merely alluding to this nomination. There are other issues (ie the border/immigration, spending, etc) that I think FReepers have asked some reasonable questions about and gotten hammered by fellow FReepers. I'm a big fan of Bush. I organized rallies during the 2004 elections for the President. That doesn't mean that I shouldn't question his actions or inactions right? As far as this nomination, I think it's reasonable, with so many other seemingly more qualified, PROVEN, conservative jurists, for Bush's pick to be questioned...
The greatest president of the 2nd half of the 20th Century, Ronald Reagan, didn't do anything constructive about the borders or illegal immigration, either. In fact, he made matters worse by signing the Immigration Reform Act of 1986, the first amnesty for illegals in our history. He put a moderate like O'Connor on the Supreme Court due to pressure to name the first woman justice. He made other mistakes, but on balance was a truly great president.
However, it's just as well the internet wasn't around in during his terms in office, because the screeching and caterwauling from the right over some of his policies would have been deafening.