IU Angles

Justice could be lasting legacy for Bush
Most informed pundits believed that President Bush would select a well-qualified -- albeit conservative -- woman to succeed retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. But the president surprised nearly everyone with his nomination of federal Judge John Roberts Jr. This was a brilliant move on Bush's part, which justly deserves the admiration of political professionals, regardless of their partisan leanings. It will be hard for senators to oppose Roberts's candidacy. Here's why: Roberts is a young, extremely well-educated and qualified judge, with an already well-established record, but not one so lengthy in years as to have ruled on many controversial cases. He is thought to be moderate on many sensitive social issues. But there is no record to examine. Roberts will have an opportunity to explain his views during his confirmation hearings. But that is all that the Judiciary Committee will have to go on. Roberts's early experience as a clerk for Chief Justice William Rehnquist, as well as his judgeship to date, leave little doubt as to his qualifications for the office. Senators who have opposed the president's other nominees to the federal bench will have difficulty finding grounds to disqualify Roberts. This is especially so, considering his recent overwhelmingly positive confirmation vote in the U.S. Senate. As a relatively young man, at age 50, Roberts could well serve on the court for 25 years. If he is truly as conservative as he is speculated to be, Roberts could well be one of Bush's lasting legacies to the country. The bottom line: Roberts will be confirmed by at least a vote of 85-to-15. Robert S. Kraychuk
Associate professor, School of Public and Environmental Affairs Filibuster unlikely despite lobbying efforts It sounds like the most important Democrats in the Senate (like Joe Lieberman) will not fight the nomination of Judge Roberts, and that there will be no filibuster. Nevertheless, I think it is clear that there will be intense lobbying by a variety of interest groups for and against confirmation and that they will be influencing both the rhetoric and the votes of individual senators. There will be a fight but in the end President Bush will get what he wants. Jeffrey Hart
Political science professor