As long as we control the Senate, Gonzales should have no problem being confirmed. He'd probably take some abuse from some Senators for writing a legal opinion to Bush which stated that the President had sufficient authority under previous resolutions to move against Iraq (without going to Congress again in late summer), but it wouldn't prevent confirmation.
In fact, some criticism of the appointment from the misinformed social conservatives would probably help in getting some Democrat votes for his confirmation.
Astute point, as usual.
You know, if we can get Rehnquist and O'Connor to retire, and have Stevens drop dead, we could really be on our way to change the judicial landscape for a generation.