However, with Bush's nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court, conservative opinion leaders are no longer willing to serve as his silent handmaidens and have begun speaking out angrily.  Witness the opinion of Rich Lowry, editor of movement conservatism's flagship publication, the National Review, writing on the Miers nomination earlier today.

Just talked to a very pro-Bush legal type who says he is ashamed and embarrassed this morning. Says Miers was with an undistinguished law firm; never practiced constitutional law; never argued any big cases; never was on law review; has never written on any of the important legal issues. Says she's not even second rate, but is third rate. Dozens and dozens of women would have been better qualified. Says a crony at FEMA is one thing, but on the high court is something else entirely. Her long history of activity with ABA is not encouraging from a conservative perspective--few conservatives would spend their time that way. In short, he says the pick is “deplorable.” There may be an element of venting here, but thought I'd pass along for what it's worth. It's certainly indicative of the mood right now...  

Frederick the Great once wrote, "If my soldiers were to begin to think, not one would remain in the ranks."  Judged by what we're seeing today, Bush's troops in the conservative commentariat must have an awful lot in common with those of the Prussian king.  Too bad it is only now they are beginning to think.