[Bush 100 Percent]

I have to say that I didn't know about your issue #1, but I did suspect some of the favorite candidates might not have wanted the job. I knew Specter was a loose cannon and liable to pull just about anything, all the things in your second item ring true to me. I believe that Specter would never have voted for the Nuclear Option and needed to be added to the other defectors in any count.

I have been, however, arguing your third point since the Miers nomination and the criticism began. Which leads me to ....

The added issue is that conservatives who wanted a fight should have had it way back when the gang of 14 made their "deal". To sit back and, in hindsight, say we should fight amounts to not preparing the battlefield before the war and, then, second guessing the general who had to go with the field as is. Where were all these media pundits, then? I think the term "armchair general" was made just for them. They may have made some noise, then. But, if it wasn't enough, then, they're too late, now.

[Pukin Dog]

Exactly right. The gang of 14 just killed us. And you know who their leaders were, right? Some the same RINOs that will destroy our agenda should they ever gain enough power.

[TaxRelief]

To sit back and, in hindsight, say we should fight amounts to not preparing the battlefield before the war and, then, second guessing the general who had to go with the field as is. Where were all these media pundits, then? I think the term "armchair general" was made just for them. They may have made some noise, then. But, if it wasn't enough, then, they're too late, now.

How much did you contribute to the Coalition for a Fair Judiciary?

Why did President Bush never use the loyal "rank and file" to prepare the battlefield? He used the Republican database and his clout via pre-recorded messages to meddle in state and local primaries, and now he's using them to attempt to stem the grassroots revolt against Miers.

It's too bad he didn't use those pre-recorded messages to bust up the "gang of 14".