Overconfidence ruins many a president. Enemies are just waiting to pounce. Bush has now had to resort to the attack mode when he could just as well have kept them at bay with a steady hand on the tiller months ago.
Bush chose the in your face Miers thing which was the last straw for conservatives, then his enemies pounced.
One needs to dance with the one that brung you, not the slick that is waiting for easy prey.