I agree with you, but it is all about playing chess. The best way to play in this case is to enrage the dems from the get go. Make them actually think they are going to have influence, then BAM!!! Pull the rug out from under them and nominate a conservative anyway. It will absolutely unbalance them and throw sympathy on the nominee.
This battle is about more than the nominee. Its about showing the American People, time after time, who the dems really are, and what they really stand for.
As a matter of fact, that should be the goal of any agenda the President puts forward. To make the dems take a stand (by filibustering, by casting outrageous votes) based upon their true beliefs.
The best way to play in this case is to enrage the dems from the get go.
The fact that PRESIDENT Bush breathes, enrages them, and he has been playing on it for nearly 5 years.