Bluster! There was plenty of that here over the past few weeks and not much practical politics. Now we have no right to demand a fair up or down vote for anyone since we ourselves denied it to Miers. The left knows they can filibuster the next nomination saying "Bush gave in to the rapid right wing cabal" of the Republican party - they will raise a ton of campaign money for '06 on this fear alone and our candidates will be forced away from the right not toward the right. We've threatened and PO'ed RINOs who now won't feel any pressure at all to support the dream candidate that everyone hoped for, in fact they will want to show their independence. I hope I'm wrong, I don't expect I am. How many Senate votes do you think your "real conservative" candidate can count on?
Sorry I cant agree with your assesment.
I have never bought into the argument that the democrats could successfully filibuster a Supreme Court nominee. Its one thing to filibuster an Appeals Court nominee when there are literally hundreds and most people arent even paying attention. A SCOTUS nominee is an entirely different matter. There are only nine its its a highly visible event. Particularly if that nominee is clearly and visibly qualified and capable. If they go through the hearings and do a good job the public will insist on an up or down vote.
Besides which EVEN IF THEY COULD the pressure shold be on them to carry it off. We shouldnt refuse to step up to the plate and fight that fight just because we are afraid we MIGHT not win.