This is the “URGENT” email NARAL sent out about the Pickering appointment:

Bush Appoints Controversial Charles Pickering while Congress in Recess
Just days before Americans celebrate Martin Luther King Day and mark the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, George Bush has given us a timely reminder of the need to stand up for the freedoms we cherish. With a ruthless disregard for our hard-fought rights, the President is stepping up his campaign to place a far-right stranglehold on the federal courts.
Charles Pickering is a lifelong anti-choice extremist. He spearheaded the Republican Party platform plank calling for a constitutional amendment outlawing a woman’s right to choose and has fought to criminalize abortion in all instances except to save the life – but not the health – of the woman.
Forcing Pickering’s controversial appointment after Senators rejected him in two separate Congresses is a slap in the face of everyone who believes that government should stay out of our personal decisions. Doing it when you think people won’t be paying attention is the worst kind of political gamesmanship.
George Bush may think he can get away with yet another holiday weekend sneak attack on a woman’s right to choose. Please contact your Senator today to express your outrage and dismay.

Me again: There is going to be a lot of this kind of overheated rhetoric from the Left that the White House could’ve avoided by letting Pickering continue to sit in limbo, maybe eventually having to bow out like Miguel Estrada had to. Strikes me as a very principled move from the president. Will be interesting to see if Priscilla Owen’s nomination makes progress similarly.