[CollegeRepublicanNU]

And Bush responds by nominating a candidate who will allow Democrats to avoid fighting on their weakest ground – substance. He has given us a Supreme Court nomination that will placate no liberals and should please no conservatives.

Ann has a point and I trust both Ann and President Bush. I think however that Bush has a strategy behind all of this. Putting Roberts on the bench should please most conservative for now but we are still waiting to see what is in the cards for Rehnquist. If we push someone too conservative right now it will just be a big argument by both sides. Putting someone to the slight right on the bench can possibly allow us to push someone more conservative when Rehnquist gives up the bench. I don't think that will be long. We shall see. Bush knows what he is doing. I trust this move. I trust Roberts will serve the bench well.

[Tennessean4Bush]

Putting someone to the slight right on the bench can possibly allow us to push someone more conservative when Rehnquist gives up the bench.

It does not work that way. Republicans are trying to avoid a fight. Democrats will fight them regardless. Might as well put a known quantity to make the fight you are going to have anyway mean something rather than maybe mean something.

You see, I have been following these Supreme Court picks for 25 years or so. Republicans always try to avoid the fight. The one lone exception was Thomas, and look how great he turned out. Worth every minute of effort and heartache to get him in there.

Each time they try to avoid the fight, they end up getting one anyway. Why not fight and have the assurance that the effort will be rewarded for the next 20-30 years?

Do you really think this "sets the stage" for a more conservative nominee later? Hogwash.

[Huck]

Putting Roberts on the bench should please most conservative for now

Sounds like a rationalization. I need only point to CFR to show that Bush can sometimes be painfully, woefully wrong. CFR was actually horrible misjudgement on his part and it happened to involve what is in the most charitable interpretation a serious miscalculation of the Supreme Court. There is reason for doubt, and I wish conservatives would put down the kool aid long enough to exert some real pressure from the right.

[Smile-n-Win]

Putting someone to the slight right on the bench can possibly allow us to push someone more conservative when Rehnquist gives up the bench.

Why do you think so? Giving up ground doesn't automatically make the enemy return the favor.

[street_lawyer]

If we push someone too conservative right now it will just be a big argument by both sides. Putting someone to the slight right on the bench can possibly allow us to push someone more conservative when Rehnquist gives up the bench.

Why not nominate a clearly pro-life candidate and then let the Dems do their filibuster thing now. Do you think they can get away that that tactic twice? I doubt they can survive it once.