Yes, the Democrats will be afraid to smear Janice Rogers Brown, just like they kept as quiet as church mice during the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings.
I think they would go after her with a vengence. But the president will have taken two issues away that I've heard with the Roberts' nomination: gender and race. The Dems are shameless, but I personally think that everytime they come out to do their race bait act, more people see through them. In the long run, they are hurting themselves and in the short run, I think that, barring any unforeseen difficulties, Brown could be confirmed. A win-win for the Republicans.
She'd be the PERFECT choice right now just as the Dems say Bush hates Blacks. He should nominate her today.