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.
Thomas was just as much as "stealth" candidate when he was nominated, as Miers is now.
That's my memory of it anyway. Anybody who has evidence to the contrary, please post it.