For the sake of argument, let's say that one of the preferable candidates for this position weren't able to muster a sufficient number of votes to quash a threatened filibuster-a filibuster that is a matter of supposition-it would not be the end of the world.
President Bush could have then nominated Harriet Miers, or any of a number of less qualified individuals, as a replacement, as was the case when Judge Bork's nomination was rejected by a majority of dimwitted, politically vindictive Senators, who did not have even the most rudimentary grasp of Constitutional principles.
Harvard Business School 101:
Know the results before you stick your neck out.
George Bush had a vote count analysis done on
10-15possible nominees and saw he could not appoint a Luttig or Jones and get the 51 votes.
Neither Scalia nor Thomas ( obviously) could be confirmed in today's poisoned partisan atmosphere with a squishy Republican Senate.
Flibuster/nuclear option would never come into play; the 51 votes just aren't there.