I don't know about that. There were a lot of folks on this db that were very upset with the pick. I do not consider them pundits but expressing a point of view. I think a lot of the base was expressing concerns and the pundits picked up on that.
Take it from a conserative in Canada who watched the leaders fracture the conservatives for 10 plus years at the federal level over a variety of issues. Its not a good move to fracture the base. Bush43 did the right thing here. He now has a chance to ensure the base stays united and move forward.
My problem with the whole "opposition" thing was that the woman never even got to hearings. What could be found out about her was fragmentary at best, and generally several years old; she certainly deserved a chance to have her say in hearings. Then I would have been opposed or in favor, but on an informed basis.
I don't like this scenario where a wolf pack can begin baying - and the baying is taken up almost responsively after a senior wolf such as Ann Coulter or Bill Kristol sounds off - and the President is forced to change a decision without even having a chance to have it subjected to the usual procedure.