[quote name='mykevermin']Well, I must admit that, from what I've read (90 pages of transcipts at NYT!!!, not that I've read near all of them), congress is battering him about abortion too much, giving off the appearance that they don't care about his qualifications, or even his positions; rather, it is just one position that they seem to care about: Roe V. Wade.
Roberts has shown himself to be courteous and a professional, though some of his answers are strangely avoidant. I raised my eyebrow at a few of his answers.
All in all, though, he's taking it like a champ, handling himself well, and most importantly (considering his discussion of stare decisis (sp?)), given the indication that he's not quick on the draw in making decisions that would be contrary to long-standing judicial precedents.
I'm still hesitant to say this, but it seems that, until congress gets off of abortion, I'm not gonna wade through 90
![Shaq Fu! fuck fuck](/styles/default/cag/smilies/shaq-fu!96.gif)
in' pages of the same question worded differently. I will (hesitantly) concede that Roberts should be confirmed for a Supreme Court seat (I don't know enough to say he is de facto qualified for the Chief Justice chair, so I won't say either way). He had the academic qualifications, and he seems to be well suited for the position.
I dare say that Bush has made a good decision here. Time will tell if Roberts is a wolf in sheep's clothing (that is, if he's simply bullshitting all of us in the public and the government), and will eventually reveal himself to be a true Bush crony. I hope that is not the case, because that would damage the credibility and testimony of every single person following Roberts who is appointed to the Supreme Court.
I full expect that not to happen.[/QUOTE]
Thanks for your insightful thoughts. I really do commend you (for whatever that is worth) for taking the time to reach an informed judgment about this issue. Early on, you seemed to "rush to judgment" because Judge Roberts was a Bush appointee. It is admirable that you would take the time to become better informed and change your views.
Your point about a "wolf in sheep's clothing" is valid -- we do not know for sure whether Judge Roberts will continue to comport himself in the manner he has to date. But, I agree with you that it seems unlikely he will all of a sudden change his stripes.
I recommend that you read/listen to the hearings -- not all of it had to do with abortion. There were many interesting exchanges on the Commerce Clause (Congress' power to regulate interstate commerce), Brown v. The Board of Education (end of the "separate but equal" doctrine), and the First Amendment.
While Judge Roberts certainly did not answer all questions, he has been much more forthcoming than many previous SCOTUS nominees. You understand that, as a matter of judicial ethics, a SCOTUS nominee should not discuss particular cases (or legal issues) likely to come before the Court.
And, remember, we will have this to do all over again in relatively short order. I can't wait!