When a friend gets attacked, I don't like it

Obviously, everything the President says is calculated. So the President is basically saying to the religious right, "hey, simmer down." But how will Rove keep the religious right from exploding in fury if Bush doesn't appease them? Or, is it all just a smoke screen so they can smuggle in someone who will in fact be extreme but just not appear to be so at first?


G.O.P. Asks Conservative Allies to Cool Rhetoric Over the Court - New York Times: "'Al Gonzales is a great friend of mine. I'm the kind of person, when a friend gets attacked, I don't like it.'"

Bush said he would have no "litmus test" that disqualifies candidates because of their opinions on abortion and gay marriage.

"I'll pick people who, one, can do the job, and people who are honest, people who are bright and people who will strictly interpret the Constitution and not use the bench to legislate from," Bush said.