can the senate republicans lower the level this debate any further?

sure, because opposing one justice who opposes desegregation and the Geneva Convention, and another who supports school prayer and mandatory spousal notification of abortion is exactly the same as opposing a nominee who thinks homogeneity is a liability...

Senators Weigh In on Sotomayor's Confirmation Prospects

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM: No, because I haven't decided if I would apply that standard. There was a time in the Senate when a person like Scalia and Justice Ginsburg -- she got 96 votes, Justice Scalia got 98.
I can't imagine any Republican voting for Justice Ginsburg not understanding that she was liberal. I can't imagine any Democrat voting for Justice Scalia not understanding he was conservative. We've lost our way.
And my point is that President Obama voted against Alito and Roberts, and he created a standard that if I followed I don't think I could vote for Judge Sotomayor.

The only current debate more tiresome is that over General Motors... There must be worthwhile arguments on both sides, but no one seems to be making them.