I can tell how much I will like this judge by how much the left yells and screams. If the left goes ballistic then I know it is a good pick.
They went ballistic over Souter too. It looks like to me that Bush is a New Englander. I think it's likely that Bush Sr. nominated Souter knowing full well that he was a center lefter. Like father like Son. Co-opting the majesty of Ronald Reagan to get elected and then blinking in every confrontation with the hard Left-- not out of expediency alone... out of political expediency and because he is a conservative in rhetoric only.
I tend to agree with you, but allow me to point out that the left always goes to Code Red (appropriately) standing for maximum outrage, no matter what Bush does. I don't think their reaction is a barometer anymore, since their main point is to block and frustrate whatever Bush does.