The Democrats in the Senate held up the confirmations of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, and Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff. Tell me, if you are President Bush, what exactly is the incentive to compromise with these people? Senate confirmation of cabinet secretaries is supposed to be a civil affair, in essense a rubber stamp, and yet the Dems, still sulking about Election Day, decided to brawl. Essentially, their strategy is to be jerks at every turn. Were I advising Dr. Frist, my counsel would consist of just two words: scorched earth.