ConfirmThem

By Carol Platt Liebau Posted in SCOTUS — Comments () / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

President Bush has nominated John Roberts to succeed the man for whom he clerked, the late Chief Justice William Rehnquist.

From everything I've heard about Judge Roberts' temperament, it's an excellent choice. He seems to have the consensus-building skills that are vital in that particular position.

And by nominating him now, the President has ensured that Justice John Paul Stevens -- one of the most liberal members of the Court -- won't serve as Chief Justice on even an interim basis, which is a good thing. The one reason I had hoped the President would wait: Now, I fear, those in the MSM and on the left (as if there's a difference!) will start claiming that Roberts was nominated to replace Rehnquist, and all the whining for a "moderate" to replace Justice O'Connor will start up again.

Everyone should remember: Roberts was originally named as the O'Connor replacement; Luttig, McConnell, Estrada, Jones, Owens or Rogers Brown should be the "Rehnquist replacement" in terms of their views along the liberal-conservative spectrum.