John Roberts Nominated to Succeed Rehnquist
About 40 minutes ago, President Bush nominated John Roberts, who had originally been nominated to succeed Sandra Day O'Connor as an Associate Justice, to the Chief Justice post.
Many people will look at this and say "What the hell!?" However, this looks like a shrewd move on the part of the President.
For one, this kind of nomination is not without precedent. In fact, most of the Chief Justices (PDF) had not been on the Supreme Court prior to taking the post. Rehnquist was one of 5 out of the 16 Chief Justices to be "promoted" from Associate Justice to Chief Justice.
Secondly, Roberts is only 50 years old. This means it's very likely that, if nominated, Roberts will put in at least 20 years of service, if not more. While he is still only one of nine when it comes to making decisions, the Chief Justice is often the most recognizable of the Supreme Court justices.
Thirdly, this allows allies of Bush to say the Democrats should be happy that what seems to be a relative moderate has been nominated to Chief Justice, although surely a conservative will be nominated to replace O'Connor.
It will be interesting to see what Senate Democrats decide to do with this now. Perhaps they will give Roberts an easy time and save their energy for a fight on the next nominee. It remains to be seen.
Many people will look at this and say "What the hell!?" However, this looks like a shrewd move on the part of the President.
For one, this kind of nomination is not without precedent. In fact, most of the Chief Justices (PDF) had not been on the Supreme Court prior to taking the post. Rehnquist was one of 5 out of the 16 Chief Justices to be "promoted" from Associate Justice to Chief Justice.
Secondly, Roberts is only 50 years old. This means it's very likely that, if nominated, Roberts will put in at least 20 years of service, if not more. While he is still only one of nine when it comes to making decisions, the Chief Justice is often the most recognizable of the Supreme Court justices.
Thirdly, this allows allies of Bush to say the Democrats should be happy that what seems to be a relative moderate has been nominated to Chief Justice, although surely a conservative will be nominated to replace O'Connor.
It will be interesting to see what Senate Democrats decide to do with this now. Perhaps they will give Roberts an easy time and save their energy for a fight on the next nominee. It remains to be seen.
posted by Will at 12:41 PM
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