"It is the responsibility of every generation to be true to the founders' vision of the proper role of the courts in our society. If confirmed, I recognize that I will have a tremendous responsibility to keep our judicial system strong, and to help ensure that the courts meet their obligations to strictly apply the laws and the Constitution."
My choice would have been Michael Luttig. One problem. I'm not the President. Bush is POTUS and he has a good track record with his past nominees to the SCOTUS.
Sure there is. It's called consent of the Senate. As Hamilton pointed out in the Federalist Papers, the whole purpose of this requirement was to ensure that President would appoint qualified individuals, not cronies.