What Can We Learn from the Roberts Fight?

From an interlocutor on the meaning of the Roberts confirmation:

The lack of "fight" in the Dems was palpable to me. Doesn't this suggest that the Dems. have long known they have lost this fight and are going through the motions to keep Neas and the femrads happy?

I believe the real hot issue is not abortion but "gay rights." Yet did any Senator raise this issue? I think they dare not. This means we are in a "window of opportunity" for W. to name a hard line natural law constitutionalist to O'Connor's seat. Once the time comes that the SC God forbid) grants a gay marriage license, things will be transformed and the Dems will rally to its defense. That's my quick take on where we are now.