It is absolutely incredible to me that the GOP didn't foresee this. Just how blind are they? It wasn't just conservatives who were warning the GOP about judicial nominees. The Dems have been doing it from the gitgo. Did the GOP think the Dems were going to wait for SCOTUS nominee? Sheesh...the Dems have been horrible to cabinet nominees, executive branch nominees and other judicial nominees.
I have a suggestion for a new GOP strategy. GET TRENT LOTT OUT OF THE LEADERSHIP POSITION! Trent didn't see this coming, he didn't see Jeffords coming, he doesn't see anything coming. The guy has got to go.
Lott's main diplomatic strategy has been to cave in at the first sign of a confrontation. Is he French?