Nominating John Roberts, Rehnquist's one-time clerk, for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court was a shrewd, safe chess move at this moment of turmoil, and one President Bush made so quickly that he'd pretty clearly had it up his sleeve just in case, as spokesman Scott McClellan confirmed:
"This had been something in the back of the president's mind in case" if the scenario "came into being," McClellan said.
Roberts has already made a good impression nationally, and has failed to set off loud alarm bells outside the left corner. Even as Chief, barring some unforeseen disclosure, he is a shoo-in for confirmation after some ceremonial protests from Democrats.
Everyone knew that Bush was going to appoint conservatives to the Court. If you didn't want a right-leaning Supreme Court you needed to find a better candidate than John Kerry. And since Bush is going to appoint a conservative, be grateful that -- in part due to his current need to play it safe -- it's apparently a bright, independent-minded, and judicially principled one. Then, bet on that female or Hispanic conservative for the vacancy, which Sandra O'Connor will continue to occupy until her successor is confirmed. (I can't help thinking that a minority or woman appointment to this all-important lifetime post would have been just a little too radical for this Administration. Fact of life: the white males are still in charge.)
I can't help thinking that a minority or woman appointment to this all-important lifetime post would have been just a little too radical for this Administration. Fact of life: the white males are still in charge.
I disagree, this adminstration loves to make minority history. First Colin Powell, then Condi Rice, and lastly Gonzales. Bush may play favorites with his buddies, but his buddies aren't just white men.
Posted by: j. james Mooney | September 07, 2005 at 03:20 PM