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He's only said it once [strict constructionist judges] in 2000 at a debate with Algore. To date, he hasn't reneged on that promise.

Did Bush promise to appoint a Justice like Scalia? <- long discussion

I believe the research shows no direct quote attributable to GWB that makes this string ..."I promise to nominate strict constructionst judges in the mold of Thomas and Scalia." However, Bush has said that he would nominate strict constructionist judges. Bush has advanced Scalia and Thomas as benchmark examples to define "strict constructioninst."
Further, VP Cheney was invloved in the following exchange ...

HANNITY: So in that sense, the President's promise, you believe, has been fulfilled, and that is that she fits the mold of a Scalia and a Thomas?
CHENEY: I do.
240 posted on 10/15/2005 8:46:22 PM EDT by newzjunkey
The distinction between a verbatim quote (that doesn't exist), and a Bush promise to nominate strict constructionists does not mean he didn't "make the promise." As a matter of disambigating "strict constructionist," Bush asserted that the examples of Scalia and Thomas were appropriate.
So, Bush DID promise a strict constructionist, and the benchmark that I was led to use to disambuiguate the two words "strict constructionist" were Scalia and Thomas.
I am saying Bush "made the promise."
Vice President Cheney seems to agree with that construction.

In the alternative, one could argue that he did not make the promise, or ... (see below regarding timing of delivery of the promise)

The ramifications of that, in the minds of some people, would be twofold. First, they themselves are being called liars, and second, that President Bush is not honoring a promise. Those senses strongly undermine the call to "trust him."

The one area that I see can be exploited by opposing sides, to drive the wedge deeper, is to argue the timing of knowledge of the nominees judicial conservatism. Pro-Miers people taking the side that after being seated meets the promise, and the dark say "wait a minute, show us first."

And so, the two sides are right back to the "trust me" argument when it's all done. And in that argument, there is no room for dialog.