(CNN) -- Early reaction to news that President Bush would nominate Judge John Roberts Jr. to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on the U.S. Supreme Court indicates a partisan fight is brewing.
Brian McCabe, president of conservative group Progress for America, opined that Roberts is "a man of great character who deserves genuine consideration and not automatic attacks and partisan indignation."
But a spokesman for Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid was less enthusiastic, saying Roberts has "suitable legal credentials." Spokesman Jim Manley said Roberts, once a law clerk for Justice William Rehnquist, "needs to demonstrate to the Senate that he has a commitment to core American values of freedom, equality and fairness."
Former Texas Supreme Court Justice Sen. John Cornyn, a Republican member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, described Roberts as "an exceptional judge, brilliant legal mind, and a man of outstanding character who understands his profound duty to follow the law."
Roberts, 50, sits on the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. A veteran appellate attorney, he has argued more than 30 cases before the Supreme Court, in private practice and as deputy solicitor general during the administration of Bush's father, former President George H.W. Bush. |
If all Roberts needs to demonstrate to Reid and his fellow Democrats is "freedom, equality, and fairness" than Roberts ought to be a shoe in, but something tells me it won't be wuite that easy. Hugh has been positively giddy (as am I for that matter) for the past hour or so on the radio; that's always a good sign. He describes Roberts as smart as a whip, good natured, and gracious and is nice enough to leave us this link to Roberts' bio. Good job, Dubya. Let's make sure Renquist's replacement is as solid a conservative as well.
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