WILL NO ONE INVOKE THE SLAUGHTER RULE:

Bout 1: over. Bout 2: huge.:
With Roberts unscathed by grillings, Democrats turn gaze to court's 'swing' seat. (Gail Russell Chaddock, 9/16/05, The Christian Science Monitor)

After four days in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee, John Roberts appears headed for confirmation as the 17th chief justice of the United States, even as Democrats and outside groups gear up for the next, even more critical, fight.

Steady and nuanced - with flashes of dry wit - Judge Roberts held a consistent line through more than 20 hours of questioning: He supports the rule of law. He will decide issues in light of the court's precedents and facts of the case, with an open mind. He refused to comment on issues likely to come before the court - and even on some that won't, such as the 2000 case Bush v. Gore.

Democrats now must decide whether or not to oppose the nomination, knowing they face a second confirmation battle, possibly as soon as Roberts's nomination is settled, legal analysts say. [...]

"If this were a fight, they'd have called it," says Sen. Lindsey Graham (R) of South Carolina, challenging Democrats to explain why they'd vote against Roberts in light of the fact that Republicans voted overwhelmingly for Clinton nominee Ruth Bader Ginsburg, one of the most liberal justices on the high court.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote on Roberts's nomination Sept. 22, and a floor vote would follow Sept. 26.

If Ted Kennedy had always show this kind of determination even after all hope was lost he'd be a former president.

Posted by Orrin Judd at September 15, 2005 6:13 PM