The GOP is starting from a disadvantage on this: people want moderation, and thus far, all they've seen from the GOP is nuttiness.

Look, the GOP is trying very hard to get an upper hand in this.  That's what these pre-emptive claims about putting wingnut loons on the bench not being "extraordinary" are all about.  But we don't have to let them.

This was one of the main reasons I cheered the filibuster deal in the first place: it saved any "nuclear option" decision to a time when maximum attention and maximum resources were focused on the action.  It made sure that the GOP's radicalism would receive the most play and stick in people's minds.