I don't give him the credit for Alito. He tried his best to ram Harriet Miers down our throats. But the conservative base, not the President, won out and we got Alito instead of Miers, a woman who had never even been a judge. Bush has not shown a lot of wisdom in his presidency, imho.
Oh come on...it's all part of some grand strategery that's too complicated for mere mortals to understand! </sarc>
Uh...what? Bush could have nominated any liberal and they would have been approved by the Senate, he nominated Alito and deserves full credit. As far as Miers, who knows she may have turned out farther right than Thomas. Most appointments never turn out like they are intended although both Bush administrations have done a remarkably good job on justices.