We are in a very difficult position. We cannot impress our fellow citizens, most of whom (including conservatives and Republicans) are not going to be persuaded with "trust me." Meanwhile, the left will still attack her for a variety of reasons, because they don't want any Republican on the bench. And they've been emboldened as they believe, rightly or wrongly, that they've succeeded in intimidating the president into making this kind of appointment. The president should have picked a fight with the left, not with his loyal backers. More new tone for conservatives, rather than Ted Kennedy.