The Democrats in the Senate are now filibustering two of President Bush's judicial nominees simultaneously, and the Republicans have proven powerless to end it. And even the Republicans are getting wobbly-kneed on Leon Holmes, another strong pro-life nominee who's floating in limbo right now.

The bottom line is this: judicial nominations are the only thing that matter any more in American politics. Just as "location, location, and location" are the three keys of real estate, "nominations, nominations, nominations" are the three keys to a president's long-term legacy.

The left has recognized this for eons (William Baldwin, the founder of the ACLU, said that his organization was formed to use the courts to accomplish what the American electorate would never vote for), which is why they've dug their heels in now on Priscilla Owen and Miguel Estrada.

The president needs to go nuclear against the jackass Senate Democrats, and he needs to do it now. He needs to take his 70% popularity rating and jam it right down their throats. The only thing...repeat: the only thing that will matter 10 years from now about George W. Bush's presidency (which is true of any presidency) is who he got appointed to the bench.

He needs to knock Pat Leahy's and Chuck Schumer's legs out from under them and stop playing by their one-sided "gentlemen's rules." He needs to attack them publicly, loudly and often. Question their patriotism. Question their morals. Question their ethics. Leave no earth unscorched.

If you can't get nominees confirmed (or even voted on!) with a 70% approval rating and a Congress controlled by your own party, it's time to hang it up and find something you can do competently. There are no other issues. It begins and ends with the judiciary, and the Bushies had better wake up, smell the coffee, and go to battle on the homefront.