We are very fortunate O'Connor is the first one being replaced. Much tougher for the Dems to filibuster the very first SC nominee without looking unreasonable. I think we get her replacement through almost regardless. Same to some extent with Rehnquist. Difficult for them to complain about his replacement when Rehnquist himself was so conservative. And when I saw "difficult", I mean it'll be tougher for them to keep those 14 centrists in line.
Sessions is the guy we use when its really up in the air on a critical appointment. Say if someone like Stevens or Ginsburg leaves, and we need to get that critical vote over Dem insistance that we appoint a liberal. A guy like Sessions is the only type who might be able to get through without a filibuster.
Many people complained in retrospect that Reagan should have appointed Bork while he had the Senate and left Scalia to later, but of course there was no guarantee the President would have another appointment after Scalia and Nino has been a fine pick.
No doubt Karl Rove is helping the President with strategery.
How's this for a list of objectives for the President to consider when he makes the nomination (in order of priority):
1. Get a solid Conservative-Originalist-Federalist on the bench (nominated AND confirmed).
2. Raise the morale of the base and the Republican Party generally with an outstanding pick.
3. Rally the faithful Senators with a pick that will give them heart.
4. Put tremendous pressure on the wobbly Republican Senators with a pick that makes it difficult to them to go along with any filibuster and convinces them to go nucular if necessary.
5. Make a selection that will make the 'Rat Senators look horrible if they filibuster.
6. Put the 'Rat Senators in the uncomfortable position of either objecting to a perfectly sound nominee or infuriating their base.
7. Make the Liberal Moonbat Senators like Kerry and Boxer and Kennedy go absolutely nuts with the pick.
8. Select a nominee who will cause the moonbat Left organizations to go completely over-the-top in their objections so that they look like fools to sober citizens.
9. Demoralize and embitter the Left with the pick and confirmation so they move to Canada, seek therapy, quit politics, do an Abbie Hoffman, take it out on the 'Rat politicians, stay home next election, or decide to bathe even less frequently than they already do.
10. Make sure the nominee has ONE decision in their background that will offend the Bush-hating Conservatives so that they'll be happy to have something to complain about. You know -- the type of people who aren't happy unless they aren't happy.