For those interested in high stakes poker between the Republicans and the Democrats, the battles over Supreme Court nominees should provide some of the most entertaining (while disappointing) action seen in Washington in years. The Hill's Alexander Bolton reports:

Senate Republicans are preparing to implement a sophisticated, multipronged plan to confirm President Bush’s expected nomination to replace ailing Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist.

Well-funded liberal groups are also ramping up their efforts to block any conservative nominee.

Activists working with White House and Senate staffers say the 80-year old Rehnquist’s battle with thyroid cancer has sharply focused attention.

The controversy over comments that Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), incoming Judiciary Committee chairman, made downplaying the chances of anti-abortion-rights nominees being confirmed also accelerated planning.

Bolton explains the GOP's well-planned strategy:

Republican battle lines are similar to those drawn up in summer 2003, when many believed Rehnquist or Justice Sandra Day O’Connor would announce their retirement. That strategy was drafted by Manuel Miranda, who was Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist’s (R-Tenn.) senior aide on judicial strategy.

Bill Wichterman, who heads coalition outreach for Frist, took on judicial confirmation planning for Frist at the beginning of this year.

Under the Miranda plan, as soon as Bush nominated a justice, Republicans and conservatives would issue press releases pre-emptively to deflect liberal efforts to define the nominee. Conservative groups would issue their own information packets while selected Republican senators would make statements and floor speeches.

How are they able to pay for all of this?

The business community would be expected to fund the communications campaign.

Of course. It might be a long, hot summer in Washington, but make sure not to miss any of it should a Bush nominee head to the Senate for consideration.