We might see a new dynamic surface this go'round. No secret to the fact that Bush was turned down by several potential nominees because the games it would entail. I can see Bush going to his bench and pulling someone who has already passed muster before the committee. That could easily be a way to cut down on institutional nonsense. The dynamic would be an aggressive candidate who simply refuses to play the "Bossman/ Massa" game other nominees had to play. I can see a nominee telling the esteemed committee to review previous comments because there is no sense in going over old ground. I can also see aggressiveness showing up for several reasons:
--Bush was bitch slapped by his base for his last nominee and the red is still visible.
--His base is just itchin' for a brawl. Bush tried to avoid the fight and he was thrown back into the ring.
--Bush could easily buy a clue and play off the testiness of his base
--Hearings are a game. Congress wants to know how a nominee will vote and the nominee refuses to say. I can see a hair covered nominee saying, "No, I won't say how I will vote in a particular case, so how 'bout you backin' down. " Bush's artificial civility toward the pompous fools on the judiciary committee as rubbed people the wrong way. Maybe now is the time to correct impressions.
