Confirmation of two conservative justices was a tremendous achievement. McCain's "deal" may have even helped this happen. McCain did not cost us the Senate. And in NO way stopped the GOP from campaigning on the need for more. It had ZERO to do with the election.
2006 was the most underperforming year for confirming judges ever. Even Pat Leahy remarked on it, probably with a smirk.
Anyways I'll take Hugh Hewitt's take over yours, no offense.
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/HughHewitt/2006/11/08/the_road_not_taken__forfeiting_a_majority
I don't completely accept the notion that the Gang of 14 was a mistake. It did result in two Supreme Ct. nominees getting through. Going nuclear would have been the preferred strategy, but I think the Gang of 14 emerged because the GOP in the Senate wasn't going to go nuclear, and hence McCain's approach with the Gang of 14, while it was a single that the Republicans were weak, saved two decent nominations.