Well, I think it makes sense. If you heard or read any of his remarks today, it was an almost schizophrenic speech. He started off basically talking about how the Constitutional option would destroy the traditions of the Senate (and if you look at the remarks on this thread during the early part of his speech, you saw that most people were infuriated with him). However, in mid-stream he switches to saying that triggering the Constitutional option would be ok. And so, knowing the way he tends to see his role, and how hard he fought for Judiciary chair, coupled with his remarks on Bush's appointees, it makes sense that he would see himself as the guardian at the entry to the Federal judiciary. He will be the one to safeguard us from these exremists who think the Constitution means what it says and that it should be interpreted in an originalist context.
"He will be the one to safeguard us from these exremists who think the Constitution means what it says and that it should be interpreted in an originalist context."
Yep, I believe you are spot on. To keep our hope up, perhaps God has other plans for him. Remember Sen. Baucus's ancedote, the slave whispering in the ear of the Roman, "Remember, you are mortal".