Well said BUMP!
A good fight would be the end of the Democrats posturing as defenders of the Constitution. And the ideal appointee would be able to defend the Constitution in front of the Senate and educate the public, unlike a Roberts, who simply used his education to sidestep the questions. Sure, the Senate is a bunch of buffoons. But ignoring them isn't the same thing as exposing them. That can only come when an educator has the floor.
So, pick Alex Kozinski, Mr. President. If he won't do it, pick Janice Rogers Brown. They'll make their own case. It'll be good for the country to have the Constitutional debate in public again, instead of Congress trying to put all the controversial decisions on the judges and the executive. And that you fought for the Constitution's return to primacy in American government, instead of judicial rule, that will be a more lasting legacy than any war could ever be.
I wish Bush had sent up Keyes first. Keyes would have wiped the floor with them. They would reject Alan, but not before exposing themselves. Then Bush could have proposed a more "moderate" candidate.
To change the culture you have to change public opinion, and that comes about through education.