To a large degree the durability of this compromise is going to depend on the actions of President Bush. He can keep it or blow it up. It depends on what kind of judges he nominates.
Quotes about nominates (10 Quotes)
The convention is the voice, the bone and the sinews of a political party-and sometimes it even nominates an Abraham Lincoln.
Whomever the president nominates, he's going to have a fight on his hands, so let's make the fight worth it.
I think the president is going to wait until John Roberts is confirmed before he nominates the next person, ... As a woman myself, I hope it will be a woman.
The president and I have not discussed this, but I greatly appreciate his confidence, ... I have been privileged to be appointed by five presidents to various positions. If President Bush nominates me, and the Senate confirms his choice, I would have every intention of serving.
This (next appointment) could be the one who tips the balance. If Bush nominates a strong proponent of inflation targeting, it would be a signal they want (that).
The Archivist of the United States essentially works for the American people across partisan lines and not, regardless of which Administration nominates the person, for a particular President or political party.
Bush may make serious attempts at reforming the tax code and social security he's much less concerned with the risk of failure than previous presidents have been. The expected need to replace two or three Supreme Court justices, however, could so poison the water in Washington that very little will get done. (That is, unless he nominates Professor Tyson, who would be a model jurist).
If the Roberts confirmation is a foregone conclusion, why look like a knee-jerk obstructionist ... Its far better to preserve the appearance of being fair-minded and try to convince the president he has a chance to get your vote if he nominates someone to your liking. It also gives you the ability to oppose the next nominee with greater credibility.
If Bush nominates another conservative activist judge, there will be problems in the Senate.