John Roberts moving toward confirmation to Chief Justice

So far, it looks good. Baring any last minute surprises, Roberts should be confirmed easily.

In seeing various sound bites, I think two of them stand out.

First, in his opening statement, he said he views being a judge as being an umpire in a baseball game. It isn't his job to hit the ball or pitch it or field it. He just calls balls and strikes and rules on outs. He has a modest view on the role of the judiciary.

Second, in one of his exchanges with a senator, he said, if the little guy is right under the Constitution, I will rule for the little guy. If the big guy is right under the Constitution, I will rule for the big guy. Again, his job is to dispense justice to the best of his ability. The legislature can do things that impact society. The executive branch can do things that impact society. His job as a judge is to look at the case before him and make a determination. Those decisions impact society as a consequence but that isn't the intent going in.

I don't know who Bush will nominate after the Roberts confirmation which is likely to occur by the end of the month.

There will be political pressure to name a woman or a ethnic minority. There will also be pressure from his supporters to name a conservative.

There are some names out there who would be "two-fers" in this regard. Edith Jones, Edith Clement (both of whom were oft mentioned before the Roberts nomination), Emilio Garza and Larry Thompson (though he has no judgeship experience).