Really, how can you come to any other conclusion? What does Bush have to gain by screwing the religious right? What would he gain from appointing someone unpredictable? How would he benefit from appointing a moderate? So why didn't he appoint a known hard-line conservative? We know he'll appoint unpopular people if that's what it takes to get what he wants (e.g. John Bolton). So why not do the same thing now? He must have a better option--a judge who will give him what he wants while not costing him any "political capital".