While I agree that President Bush should have taken the fight to the Dems and nominated an openly conservative nominee, I'd define "conservative" as someone who interprets the Constitution as it's written, leaving "pro-life" as something that merely follows from that, as appropriate.
But regardless, what galls me is exactly what you said...the move he made is WEAK. With all due respect, even if she turns out to vote pro-life, this nomination has strengthened the opposition and is a bad one.
True. But the battle really boils down to the liberals and RINOs rejecting ALL nominees who are suspected as being pro-life.