No, you misunderstood me. If Bush appoints a pro-abort judge, BUSH will go down in flames. I know, he's a lame duck, and will not stand for election again. But he will lose millions of votes from his base, the Democrats will start picking up seats in congress, and hillary will have a far better chance of winning in 2008.
I'm not just talking about my own views. I'm talking about millions of Evangelicals and pro-life Catholics who would stay home in 2006 and 2008. The momentum of the last three elections would be lost.
Sure, Bush could betray his base and put a flaming RINO on the Supreme Court because he happens to be an old friend and political associate. But it would be the end of his support from social conservatives.
I think you're right. While the '08 nominee should be judged on his or her individual merits, Bush nominating a pro-abort will certainly make pro-lifers look more skeptically at any GOP candidate's profession of being pro-life ... and if the GOP senators support the nomination they will have helped the party earn that skepticism.