I think you have just demonstrated the real reason these nominees are being opposed.
It is a balance of power issue.
When Rehnquist retires, there will not be must trouble with his replacement. That will simply be maintaing the current balance. Nor will the chief justice really cause much difficulty....again...it would simply be a replacement conservative.
However, when O'Conner quits all heck's gonna break loose.
This is the same dynamic, apparently, that's taking place on these circuits. The balance of power is changing.
Don't bet that there will 'not be much trouble' with Rehnquist's replacement. Rehnquist is a party hack. He could be replaced with a conservative. That would be three on the court. That could be REAL trouble on some issues.
It is to be devoutly hoped that O'Connor and Ginsberg both leave the bench in the next four years. Neither is worth a damn. Both could be replaced by far better conservative women.
I personally would like to see Alex Kozinski on the Supreme Court, but that's just me. I like the idea of a justice with a sense of humor. That guy's a riot. Plus, he's been on The Dating Game. Twice. Won once, too.