Everything that you said reflects your "hope", not facts. I'd prefer to be sure by keeping all of the "probablys" out of the equation and Specter out of the chairmanship.
Please see posts 45 and 78 for an array of factual data to substantiate my position. Even study the voting habits of RAT senators Feinstein, Feingold, and Kohl, among others, both in committee and on the floor.
We will get our judges -- district, circuit and USSC -- whether Specter is chair or not.
The electorate has spoken, and these Senators will defer to the President, particularly during 2005-06. The circuit court filibusters are over, and any filibusters of Supreme Court nominations will be unsuccessful if attempted.
We will begin by working off the backload of stalled circuit court nominees, and the pace of confirmations will pleasantly surprise conservative activists.