I think you have posted some of the most reasoned thought on this thread - Bush is clear in his thinking about these matters and his prior picks at the other levels have been genius. I've read other things about Clement that tell me he knows more about her than the average joe, too - her "maritime law" experience actually translates to oil rigs in the gulf coast and she's apparently well known in Texas circles. She (Clement) also has other ties to the Bush clan - the CONSERVATIVE circles close to W, not the elder's - and they give her top credentials.
Thank you. Interesting thought about what you said regarding Clement's maritime law experience - the UN trying to implement new restrictions regarding international waters. (I'm sorry but I cannot remember the acronym for it!)
Between a judge conversant in adjudicating such law and Bolton in the UN cleaning house, this could be a tag team that effectively looks out for American interests.