I trust 43 more than I do our House of Lords. I think his decision may say more about what's wrong with the Senate than with the president.
I was just starting to think this when I read your post. I think this is saying that Bush got indication from enough RINO's, that they would NOT support a hard line conservative. Bush may have wimped out, but it seems to be doubtful that he wouldn't have chosen Luttig et al for the post if he thought he had the backing of the usual suspects (rino scabs)...
I am hopefully optimistic about the nominee, however. Life is simply too short to see the glass as half empty all the time, I did plenty of that in my Liberal days.