I agree. And I think the conservative firestorm over Harriet Meiers sent a clear message to senators of both parties. The first message, to the GOP pansies, that they better cut the crap and take this seriously. And the second message, to the 'rats, that the GOP got the first message.
I think the Harriet Miers incident also sent the message to the Pres. to take the nomination. Take it seriosly or your base will eat you alive and 2) Take no prisoners and make sure you get a bona fide Conservative on the court.
The discovery of the "nuclear option" by the Republicans, however, has made it so that in effect no party will be able to "bork" a supreme court nominee as the democrats have been doing. Unfortunately, the implication of that is that the Republicans also will not be able to filibuster if they lose the majority and the left will be able to ram through "Ultra Leftwing Extremists".