I think the first, negative, knee-jerk reaction to the nomination on the part of Freepers was due to the fact that we were spoiling for a fight. I know I was.
I was ready for a Luttig-type nominee, an in-your-face Conservative that would provoke a monumental Senate battle, a filibuster and ultimately, the nuclear option.
Cooler heads have prevailed. The opportunity exists for us to get a lower-profile-Luttig type, without the same credentials, to be sure, but philosophically equivalent.
And all this, hopefully, without a fight.
Some thought should also be given to preserving the filibuster on judicial nominees. The Democrats have already painted themselves into a corner with their obstructionism; they've filibustered so many nominees that the country would back the nuclear option.
However, if we can "stealth" a nominee through, (an evangelical Christian, no less), without provoking the filibuster that Luttig might have prompted, we preserve the right for Republicans to filibuster at some point in the future(and may that day never come)when WE need to do it.
Perhaps I'm ascribing too much cleverness to the President and his staff with this scenario, but assuming Miers is what the Pres says she is, the shoe fits.
Very well said...couldn't have said it better myself. Agree with your assessment totally.
If they didn't filibuster Ruth Vader Ginsberg (who, being a long-time ACLU lawyer, had a GLARING conflict of interest), they ain't ever gonna filibuster anyone.