[shhrubbery!]

Justice Clarence Thomas had already been an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States since 1991. In 2000, Justice Clarence Thomas had a clear record as a conservative and a constitutional originalist.

Yes, of course Thomas has had an impressive record AFTER his confirmation to SCOTUS!

But before Thomas's confirmation, we had little evidence to go on.

Just like Miers.

[TSchmereL]

You totally miss my point.

Bush cheated Conservatives by nominating a STEALTH candidate. Bush referred to Thomas as his model in 1999 and 2000 when Thomas had a clear record. In 2000, everyone knew what Bush was talking about.

So what if Conservatives had doubts about Thomas in 1991? Bush was talking about Thomas eight and nine years later when Thomas was so well known, he would not have been able to go STEALTHLY to a restaurant without being noticed.