This is a sign of desperation from Reid, who is probably trying to avoid the constitutional option at any cost.

He also has to distance himself from all the invective that will fly against any Bush nominee, because if Reid is seen as Howard Dean, Jr., he will have a short career as Minority Leader. And with Durbin damaged goods, the next Democratic Leader will probably be Byron Dorgan or Boxer (if she pushes for it).

It is instructive that when a reporter asked him about John Cornyn (who has actually been a Supreme Court judge), Reid turned cold.

bad idea to choose anyone suggested by Reid even as a fallback. very important not to establish precedent for monority leader to have any say in nomination (as opposed to confirmation).

"minority" not "monority." or should it be "moronity?"

Since Reid has just now picked at least three pro-life candidates, doesn't this take that issue off the table as a reason for the Democrats to block any of Bush's choices?

I disagree with RDS. If those nominees meet the criteria of the appropriate Republican coalition, then so be it. I certainly agree that we should not set the precedent of giving the minority leader veto power, but I don't think that's the case here. Yes "moronity" seems like a good fit.

If Bush did nominate any one of these three, is Reid promising there would not be a filibuster? For some reason (like Reid's continual perfidy), I doubt it.

This is absurd because Reed's troops could just refuse to follow him, voting their 'conscience' instead. Then you'd be back to square one, committed to a fight, but without your own best choice of nominee. Sucker play.

Reid's gambit is a poisoned apple. The last thing we need is to turn the Senate into a hothouse for growing new would-be justices infected with the spirit of compromise and a compulsion to please. With large numbers of people steamed about the Kelo ruling, this is the perfect time to pick nominees who feel constrained by constitutional text and intent, then fight for them.

DeWine. There will be riots in the more conservative portions of Ohio, if he nominates DeWine. I don't know who the other two are, but I assume they are wets also.

There's another reason: by nominating a Republican senator, there's a chance that the state will send a Democratic replacement, like what was done when Coverdell (R) died and Zell Miller (D) was put in his place.

If Dewine were nominated, Taft would appoint Blackwell to be his successor. That would get him out of the Governor's race and allow the good old boys to pillage the state a while longer.

Positions taken for legislative gain are not necessarily the positions taken when given a lifetime appointment to the Court. I don't know much about the senators listed, but I would have more faith in judges that have shown over time what they stand for. Not that that is a perfect barometer but legislator's positions are often one's of convenience not conscience.

If they're lower court judges they'll have had to uphold Roe.

By Jeb or Taft?

By Jeb or Taft?

Taft is the Governor of Ohio. It is the last elective office he will ever hold. Jeb, I assume is GWB's brother and the next president of the United States.

Agree with the above. The fact that Reid is making the suggestion makes me skeptical. All 3 senators come from states with GOP governors so I don't know why they would lead to Dem pickups. And Bush has plenty of judge nominees who could fit the bill. And as Jim points out the fact that Cornyn wasn't mentioned means that Reid finds these 3 acceptable for some reason that should worry the GOP.

I've seen a similar story that includes Lindsay Graham as another acceptable appointment to Reid.

Ewwwwwww!

If you picked, say, DeWine, Ried would forget what he said and the moonbat left would turn on him like a covey of rabid weasels.

If you picked someone like Janice Rodgers Brown, the moonbat left would turn on her like a covey of rabid weasels and Ried would lead the attack.

If you picked an utterly spineless moderate like Lincoln Chaffee, the moonbat left would turn on him like a covey of rabid weasels and Ried would lead the attack.

See a pattern here?