How much did opposition to Miers cost conservatives?

Drilling in ANWR is in trouble. It ought to be a slam-dunk. Bush can't keep the Party moderates in line. GOP candidates are now saying that they don't want Bush to campaign with them. In the midst of an incredibly strong economy, two-thirds of poll respondents say Bush is doing a bad job on the economy.

Regardless of whether you think the opposition to Miers was worth it or not, you have to at least acknowledge that it was the key development which led Democrats and the MSM to smell blood in the water. Their assault on Bush has only intensified exponentially ever since.

The split among conservatives over Miers emboldened the left as nothing else has in the last 5 years.

Update -- CNBC reports that the Senate Finance Committee has just failed to extend the Bush Tax Cuts.