From another reader:

Sorry Jonah,
But an insurrection against a President who has done as much, and spent as much political capital as George W. Bush to advance the conservative cause!
It wasn’t worth it, Jonah. Those on the Right who attacked the President may have done irreparable damage at a critical moment. With Deputy Chief of Staff Rove potentially in jeopardy, NOW was not the time to weaken the President.
I’m sorry Jonah, but this was the worst and most arrogant moment the conservative movement ever had. I fear the movement will come to regret this.
Party discipline matters. That’s one area where Democrats have always outshone us.
When a Democratic president or other high party leader comes under fire, the Democrats have a tendency to circle the wagons.
Republicans, meanwhile, when their leaders come under fire, tend to form a circular firing squad.

Me: I hear ya, but beyond the point that this whole thing was unfortunate, I obviously disagree. Party discipline matters because parties are supposed to stand for something. It’s not clear what, if anything, Miers stood for. If hard feelings are the problem, imagine how much harder they would have been had she stuck it out? Besides, Party discipline is a two way street. It is smart for conservatives to be loyal to the President when the President is loyal to conservatives. But, hey, the battle’s over. Let’s find someone we can all like.