After promising conservatives a Supreme Court appointment "in the mold of Thomas and Scalia," and after foundering with the nomination of the laughable and Supremely unqualified Harriet Miers, Bush has gone the safe route this time, nominating a man nicknamed "Scalito" for his similarity to judge Scalia. Judge Samuel Alito Jr., an appeals judge in the 3rd circuit, is well-qualified and conservative beyond question, however his nomination should not be as contentious as would have been the nomination of either Luttig or Owen.

Admittedly, I am yet to dig up any dirt on Alito, which there is sure to be at least a little -- I will report back later with his shortcomings and any developing difficulties. Right now, however, it seems that Bush will probably win a confirmation as Democrats begrudgingly consent. Republicans should also be largely satisfied with his conservative credentials, which should placate the parts of his Republican base who had (rightly) criticized him of late regarding the Miers nomination.

One interesting speculation I've been thinking about is that prior to the Miers nomination, there would have been a much more vehement rejection of another white male nominee. By nomination Miers, Bush achieved (consciously or not) a lowering of standards in that regard, and will now draw little criticism for not coming up with a female nominee. With the bad taste of the Miers nomination still in the back of everyone's mind, people will be relieved that he didn't nominate Barney or Miss Beazley. (No really, click that last link. It is the most hilarious thing ever. It even has a delightful cameo by Harriet Miers.)

Your moment of Zen:
Education Secretary Margaret Spellings: "Don't look at me Barney, I'm trying to leave no child behind."