Bush's Last Minute Conversion

What could be the catalyst for Bush to publicly repudiate the Senate republicans by saying that his judges are being opposed for judicial philosophy, not religion?

I think this is an example of cross-atlantic cooperation, and Bush trying to ensure the Blair wins in Britian to protect the coalition.

The news conference was called at the last minute, and it seems to coincide with bad news in Britian. Blair is being hammered for the war and his relationship with Bush. Having a benign news conference where Bush appears to be reasonably rational, temperate, and pupulist may blunt some of the current flurry of criticism. If nothing else it will swallow some of the news cycle in Britian and leave less bandeidth to hammer Blair.

I suspect we will see more activity fro the President in the next two weeks as he tries to secure his coalition.