My....what a difference a few months can make.
Recalling the contested nominations of a few months ago, Janice Rogers Brown, William Pryor, and Priscilla Owen were saved by the Gang of 14. The alternative was the deployment of the threatened "Nuclear Option", a rules change allowing a simple majority (50 out of 100 senators, plus the Vice President) to end a judicial filibuster...leading to a majority vote decision on a nominee.
After the anticipated capitulation by the White House on the Miers nomination, there is the expected gnashing of teeth on both sides in terms of who comes next. Would Bush seek a John Roberts clone who was largely hailed as having unquestioned qualifications despite his somewhat murky philosphical leanings? Or would he look to pick a fight in order to solidify his base....selecting a uber-conservative with the built-in opposition from the left?
A few months ago, the Democrats may have shied away from such a fight, and the GOP would have welcomed such a showdown. The GOP was on a proverbial roll, with legislation steamrolling through Congress and the media and public opinion largely playing the role of ineffective speedbumps.
Not anymore.
We now have far-right conservatives essentially Borking the Miers' bid, recent GOP ethics struggles along with assorted quagmires littering the landscape. The GOP should be understandably concerned. The chance for a power shift in Congress is much more real than it was just a few short months ago.
Does a weakened GOP have the moxie to stare down the Dems with a Nuclear Option knowing that their approval polls are at low tide.....and while a shift in majority is a distinct possibility?
The political capital of this White House is running a deficit. This deficit may just force Bush's hand to select a moderate....a Nuclear showdown is just what the GOP does not need.