This is something that must be avoided at all costs. If our 'best' are allowed to be defeated, were one of them ever willing to undergo the process, it would set back the Conservative movement for quite some time. Bush needs victories, not fights. Under that criteria, Miers is the best candidate, which is why I changed my mind.
Same can be said for the country, but the conservative base wants both. We got a taste with Roberts and have been hoping for a full course meal this time around. After years of Clinton's outrageous thrashing of our justice system, there is a lot of pent up frustration. This is the heat those senators need to feel. President Bush feels it now and my guess is that the weak, spineless Republicans would have felt it had Bush nominated one of the more anticipated nominees and they not supported him or her.