By not selecting the O'Connor seat replacement for now, Bush does put Hillary in a bit of a bind for 2008. Voting for Roberts, like her votes for the Iraq war, would burnish her image for a 2008 race, but could be one of those votes that actaully does upset the base. But if Bush had named someone obviously more conservative than Roberts by now, all the liberal focus would already be on that candidate, which would basically give the missus a free pass to confirm him while immediately coming out in opposition to the other nominee.

Reid's quoted comment was a moment of political sanity. The eye before the storm. J.R. Brown would be quite a show to watch. I hope he does it.

"I have found it is very difficult for Democrats to influence this White House on anything, and so I don't count on them paying attention to our legitimate concerns," Mrs. Clinton said, adding, "They will do what they think is in their interest, however they define it."

Elections matter.

There's nothing funnier than the likes of Chuck Schumer claiming he wakes up in the middle of the night unsure of how to vote. He'll vote no, of course, as he will for all future Bush nominees.

Hillary! Rodham Clinton Rodham Clinton's comment applies to all previous administrations, and will apply to Bush's successors, of any party, too. That she says this piece of obviousness as if it's some sort of profound insight (and it seems to be received as such by the reporter) shows how devoid of thought the Democrats are, despite their being the party of intellectuals and other really smart people.

Should they be considering what's in the best interest of the country rather than their own?

Yes, if they think the death of their own party serves the interest of the country they should keep going the way they are.

Schumer is hinting that even he will vote to confirm. Will voting yes really cost a Dem support from NOW or the left? Will NOW go over to support the GOP? Hardly. A third party? They'd get less votes than the Natural Law party? No contributions to Dems? That helps the GOP which is the last thing NOW wants. Just stay home? Same thing.

NOW is a toothless tiger on this.

Bob: Don't buy that nonsense. Next week Chuck will give an impassioned speech saying that he has agonized over his decision but he cannot vote yes in good conscience because there are too many unknowns and blah blah blah. It's all a big farce.

Well. Chuck will do whatever gets him on TV the most.

It does not matter what the DEms do. He's CJ whether its 55-45 or 100-0. You don't get an extra vote pn the court if you get a big confirmation vote.