[Always Right]

Regrettably, a large contingent of conservative commentators does not yet grasp the strategy and tactics at work in this excellent nomination.

Oh we understand the strategy, compromise first. I think Harriet will be a decent/good judge, but we could have done better. Harriet seems to have a strong set of conservative values, but we don't know how strong and how she will rule. There were better choices which would have drawn a huge fight. There were picks that were more qualified, more conservative, solid paper trail, younger, etc. This pick is a compromise. Maybe it is a good one, time will tell. Bush avoided a fight and put a seemly conservative lady on the bench. I however think a fight reguardless of outcome would have been good for the party. If we won, we would have a better judge, and if we lost we could then pick a Harriet.

[rightinthemiddle]

It's easy for her to be an outstanding SCJ.

All she has to do is vote with Scalia and Thomas...and hopefully, Roberts.

[Go Gordon]

By Bush picking Harriet and avoiding a fight, even taking a suggestion from Dirty Harry, maybe the strategery is to send a message that he won't offer up a far right winger. Hence, in the face of health problems, Justice Ginsberg won't feel compelled to hang in there until after the 2008 election. Consequently, Bush gets to pick another USSC Justice, and nominates a younger, proven conservative with a strict constructionism history at a lower court.

Just food for thought...

[Donald Rumsfeld Fan]

....but we don't know how strong and how she will rule.

..."she's a pitbull in size 6 shoes"...G.W. Bush