Look at the federal judges apppointed by democrat presidents.
One in CA stopped the execution of Morales, who's been on death row for 25+ years.
Do you really see no difference between ACLU types on the bench and those of GOP presidents?
I believe their exact words were, "Read our lips; Souter's a reliable conservative."
7 of the nine on the Court were appointed by Republicans.
Do you honestly not see that a "Republican" can nominate a Liberal? An ACLU graduate? Someone that believes in a living Constitution and consulting a foreign document for a ruling? And, not by mistake, but even intentionally?
Our current Chief Roberts noted in a brief sketch while in the Reagan administration this very point, when someone made the same point you make. That a "republican" guarentees the courts will be righted. Check the history of appointments and their rulings. A Republican President is no guarentee, and neither is a nominee that is a "life long Republican".
Factor in the fact McCain considers O'Connor to be the standard.
If you wish to suggest I vote for Frist by using the argument of the Courts? Fine. I'd accept your argument may be valid. But to use that argument in McCain's case will not wash.