You're right on the mark. I think the Reps are at a real tipping point regarding black candidates, appointees and real role models (eg. Condi). And leading Dems are quite aware of it. This is why they go ballistic whenever they can on any prominent black Republican (eg. the lieutenant governor in MD). My switch from Dem to Rep came decisively with the Thomas hearings, and I've never looked back. The Alito hearing preliminaries are only reconfirming Dems' worst traits and inclinations - and they can't help themselves. With no program, you go for personal attacks (led, of course, by Teddy!) and don't notice the contradiction staring you in the face. And at times these personal attacks are indeed blatantly racist or ethnocentric, and again they can't help themselves.
While I'm at it, consider the following double standard: What would MSM coverage look like if a right-wing group physically disrupted a left-wing anti-Alito press conference? No one in the media even takes notice of the double-standard; it is simply given that left-goofies can do whatever they want.
I'm not always impressed by Coulter, but that book I would highly recommend.