ConfirmThem

By Erick Posted in Roberts — Comments () / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

From David Broder comes this:

The question of whether Judge John Roberts is qualified to be chief justice of the United States has been rendered moot by his performance in the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings. He is so obviously -- ridiculously -- well-equipped to lead government's third branch that it is hard to imagine how any Democrats can justify a vote against his confirmation.

Notwithstanding the WaPo editorial and the "Dean" of the Washington Press Corp going to bat for Roberts (which we know will make some conservatives nervous), I hear that the vote will not be a landslide for Roberts. In fact, I have gotten word that some Democrats are going to vote against Roberts, knowing he will pass and being inclined to support him, because they are fearful of "the base," which wants Roberts to be opposed. My sources echo Robert Novak's and are touting the number 65.

Ironically, I've been told late today of a new movement being kicked around by several Democrat Senators, including some members of the Filibuster Gang, that if the majority of Democrat Senators vote for Roberts, they will have a greater argument to oppose Bush's O'Connor replacement. The feeling is that polls already show the public expects the Dems to oppose anyone the President picks. By not vociferiously opposing Roberts, the Dems will be in a much better position with the public when they actively oppose the next nominee, which I'm told they have every intention of doing.