Do you think they were counting on this liar?
If I read the constitution correctly, the chief justice isn't even mentioned.
Scalia is already appointed to the court. I'm assuming the president nominates the chief justice based on a law passed by congress granting him that appointment. Those officers not directly mentioned in the constitution can be appointed by the president or by other means as passed by congress.
Sounds to me like a majority of Congress could change this procedure they've set up for the chief justice any time they want to. They could even do away with the position, I imagine.
Help me if I'm wrong but I don't see chief justice anywhere in article 2 or 3. And my search engine doesn't see it anywhere else when I key on the word "chief."