Party conservatives see John Roberts as a "safe" pick. He's sure to be confirmed. Movement conservatives see John Roberts as an "unsafe" pick. He's not certain to rule based on the Constitution, or his whim, or past decisions, or shifting public opinion--we just don't know. Party conservatives are primarily concerned with President Bush's nominee cruising through Senate confirmation, his judicial philosophy is secondary. Movement conservatives are primarily concerned with President Bush's nominee ruling in a manner consistent with the text of the Constitution, getting through a Senate confirmation battle unscarred is secondary.
Could Bush be waiting to nominate a "harder" conservative, confident that he'll have another opportunity to name a justice before his term is over?
i.e., name another justice before his term is over.
I personally think it was a cave. He didn't think that his poll numbers could survive another drawn out fillibuster. He didn't want to completely surrender by naming a "moderate" (read liberal lite) after having been elected partly on the promise to stick to constitutional constructionists. Therefore, he selected a "stealth" candidate who has little if any record for the professional obstructionists to attack.
"A winner always wants the ball". --Coach McGinty "The Replacements"
President Bush went for the field goal in this case.
(Darn, I can't wait for football season to start)
What team do you follow?
I was raised in Indiana. I was so excited when we stole the Colts from Baltimore that I signed on that first year and, being a firm believer in loyalty, have stuck with them through thick and thin (and Eric Dickerson) ever since even though I've lived away from there longer than I lived there.
My wife is a Steelers fan (For no apparent reason) so I root for them also unless they're playing the Colts or it would help the Colts for the Steelers to lose.
NFC I always root for Green Bay.
In College I have to go with Virginia Tech because my daughter went there and got me a football autographed by the team for Christmas one year (2002). Besides, they're usually pretty good and they're always fun to watch. My alma mater (ODU) isn't much into football, although they are talking about starting a team next year.
Ah. I am a Patriots fan. None too popular with fans of the Steelers and Colts, I can imagine.
