Look people, what we want is a nominee who is more conservative than O'Connor. Period.
It doesn't have to be a nominee that is going to stand up and throw conservatives red meat by stating publicly that he or she will support all our issues. It doesn't have to be a nominee that has a library of writings on staunchly conservative themes.
It just has to be a nominee who is more conservative than O'Connor. Even a little bit more conservative is a victory. We have GOP senators up for re-election next year from blue states. Rick Santorum is one and he's in for a tough battle. There is no reason to award that seat to a Dem by letting him be painted as an extremist.
What's the call. Is Gonzales more or less conservative than O'Connor?
Wrong question and premise. The real issue is whether Gonzales will be faithful to and uphold and apply the Constitution in his decisions. His professional actions to this point do not inspire confidence that he will do so. There are other potential candidates available whose professional track records do provide convincing evidence of their Constitutional integrity. Pointing this out is not "demonizing" him.
Gonzales is more conservative than O'Conner. How much more is uncertain.
Ricky has done his best over the past few years that he isn't even a conservative, let alone an extremist.
BTW, Ricky is going to lose because he has shifted to the left.