[LS]

This is the problem. It's not who "Bush wants," but who wants the job badly enough to have his or her reputation slimed for the rest of their days.

[colorado tanker]

The awfulness of the current process will discourage prospective nominees. OTOH, SCOTUS is as good as it gets for a judge or lawyer, it's such a high honor many will still put up with the process.

IMHO Bush might as well appoint the conservative he wants, because no matter who he appoints, unless its a Dem or RINO, they will be vilified and filibustered.