While we’ve been wringing our hands over the president’s weakest-ever poll numbers, and wondering whether the conservative base will bother to turn out in next year’s elections, it may be worth pointing out what a smashing triumph the Roberts nomination has been. One press account this morning says that he’s going to get at least 64 “yes” votes. Wasn’t the next Supreme Court confirmation fight supposed to be political armageddon? Now even Pat Leahy is voting for the guy. This is not to say, of course, that there won’t be a big brawl over the next nominee. But this one went smoothly. Who predicted that? And who would have thought it possible at a time when Bush has been at his weakest? Sometimes we need to give leaders credit when things don’t happen–and in this case, there wasn’t brass-knuckles combat over a conservative chosen for the most important seat on the Supreme Court. For Bush, this is a high point at a low moment.