President Bush's legacy is hanging in the balance. It is totally in his hands.
Based on his priorities, that means he probably traded the SCOTUS appointment to secure passage of CAFTA.
I really, really hate saying this, but his actions on immigration and border security tell me he's a globalist. He also signed off on CFR. He's not an originalist.
This one will be squishy in the Souter model.
7 - 2 in favor of a flavor of the month club constitution.
Legacy? President Bush's legacy is a liberal legacy. So, he will nominate another liberal.
Aside from fighting the War on Terror, domestically and globally, Bush has been a liberal. From an "aid" or "charity" or "canceled foreign debt" or "domestic socialism" angle, Bush has been a FLAMING liberal. From a national sovereignty, border control and spending priorities angle, Bush has NOT been a conservative by any means you hash, slice and dice that.
Bush, then, will probably nominate a liberal. You gotta remember, Bush said the following about Manslaughter Kennedy:
"He is a fabulous U.S. Senator."--George Bush on Manslaughter Kennedy.
No way will Bush make you happy with a SCOTUS nominee. A liberal and an appeaser will nominate a liberal. The fact that Bush calls a flaming liberal like Arlen Sphincter to the WH for "advice" tells it all right there. A conservative president with principles who won a convincing election victory would simply nominate a judge of his choosing.
Bush's legacy is already shot. Open borders, excessive spending, redistributing wealth, and a bungled war just to name a few.