initially - what it will be is, A SECRET. we have to get Roberts through first. Bush should simply say that Roberts is going up, deal with that, his mind is focused on the Katrina reconstruction, and he will not pick a replacement and enter that political dogfight while reconstruction from the hurricane is taking place.
that's how I would spin it.
Maybe O'Connor can stay on until Rehnquist's replacement is confirmed.
Right: get Roberts in first, deal with the Katrina deal, and then install Scalia as CJ, and maybe the Louisiana judge as the next justice. Hope Stevens and/or Ruth Buzzi Ginsburg resigns in the next year. :)
that sounds good to me, but i'll bet rove is thinking more obtusely than that. i hate to say it, but there are a lot of opportunities open to the president because of the storm reconstruction that wouldn't be there otherwise in terms of working the nominee through the beltway. i know how cynical that is, but that's how things work on the potomac.