The President could have held off on naming a nominee too. He could have expressed that his goal to set constructionist judges was made unreasnably difficult by the Senate. He could ask the Senate to perform its advice and consent function on Myers (9th Circuit), Boyle, Haynes, Kavanaugh and Saad. And after they are done with that, I will send a SCOTUS nomination, but not until.
He could apologize to Sandra Day O'Connor, but explain the problem is with the Senate, not with the Executive.
Otherwise if we were to induce "the good fight" as so many are dying to do, it could easily backfire turning to a prolonged disaster with ramifications all the way into 06 and possibly beyond.
This nomination has potentially set the "prolonged disaster" wheels in motion.
While it may have done what you say, the odds of a prolonged battle and Miers not being confirmed are short. She probably will be confirmed and GW will win another battle.
Was it pretty? No. Did he(we) win, yes.