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I've read about everything on FR regarding Harriet. There seems to be a group here that conveniently forgets that GOP SCOTUS picks in the past have backfired, that conservatives morphed into moderates or liberals once they settled into the SCOTUS culture.

They betray their sponsor in favor of popularity, a VERY enticing temptress.

To me, this points to a basic human flaw: the fear of social ridicule. A famous study by the military identified the top three human fears: Third was burning to death by fire, Second was drowning, and First was the fear of being laughed at by peers.

These justices are, after all, human. They want, and perhaps need, popularity with the people they meet at social events in DC. They begin to hand down judgments that produce a pat on the head from the media.

It seems to me that the number ONE consideration for a conservative SCJ is their resistance to peer pressure. If they exhibit very little anxiety over being unpopular , there is a higher chance they'll resist morphing into a media-pleasing moderate/lib.

To the extent justice Thomas DOESN'T GIVE A DAMN about his media popularity, he remains an excellent justice. He is slammed by the MSM, black leaders, the Arts, TV, college teachers, you name it, they hate him.

Me, I want more courage like that. If Harriet can say she doesn't yearn for MSM popularity and mean it, she is WAY ahead of Souter, Kennedy, SDO, even most of the GOP faves mentioned on FR.

Courage to endure social ridicule, it is the MOST important trait needed here.

You post ignores some very clear truths. Neither McConnell, Luttig, nor Rogers-Brown gives the slightest hint that they would have strayed one degree from a strict constructionist philosophy once placed on SCOTUS. Conservatives have been grooming this class for over 20 years. They are known, safe picks.

Any of them is also light years ahead of Miers in terms of intellect, interest, and ability in matters of constitutional jurisprudence.

Any them would likely have given us an additional ten years of SCOTUS tenure too.

No matter how Miers' defenders try to spin it, this was a bad, WEAK choice. That is EXACTLY why Harry Reid made it. Reid deftly neutralized 20 years of conservative effort by appealing to Bush's unfortunate tendency to reward cronies and his fear of taking on the Senate and Gang of 14.

What a waste.

"To the extent justice Thomas DOESN'T GIVE A DAMN about his media popularity, he remains an excellent justice. He is slammed by the MSM, black leaders, the Arts, TV, college teachers, you name it, they hate him."

While the above may be true, Justice Thomas also has many people who deeply admire him. That knowlege helps give him the courage to deal with those who don't.