"Pryor a conservative? Many folks in Alabama aren't so sure."
Oh, no argument there, that's no conservative's move...and as I've said, I heard on one of these threads that whatever Pryor's political beliefs, he has connections with Hillary. That would make him a questionable appointee ala Souter if he tries to go to the next level.
I do think he was put on the 'approved' list mostly so these SOBs could avoid charges of discrimination against whitey, which might have prompted backlash against the deal by all white folks, not just conservatives.
You're probably right. A related problem with Pryor was his AG ruling which permitted Governor Riley to turn university faculty and administrators into his own private army during the tax campaign, despite the plain language of a state law that made this illegal. Pryor completely sold his soul in the tax fight, in more ways than one.