They used the term "many Dems around DC support Roberts."
I will be amazed if the "gang of 14" think this rises to the "Extraordinary Circumstances" clause, and they will prevent a filibuster. Recall Roberts was recently confirmed.
Shoomie, Durboone, and Leaky have zero to say about the EC clause... zero.
There will be NO filibuster on this nominee. Wait until Stevens or Ginsberg dies or gets very ill: that's when they'll really go to the mat. Roberts for O'Conner isn't going to change the USSC makeup sufficiently.
A couple of decades ago in the Reagan White House, John Roberts and I had adjoining offices, and we've kept in touch, in a desultory way, ever since. What can I tell you about him? That he's one of the nicest guys I've ever met. Devout but light-hearted, a devoted husband, and the doting father of two adopted children. And so thoroughly modest that I had no idea of his reputation for brilliance within the legal community--I'd supposed he was a pretty good lawyer, but knew no more--until the President nominated John to the D.C. Court of Appeals.I bet we get to see the tough side of him, too, before all this is over....and he looks smart enough to pick his moment verrrry well.We'll all have to wait for the slicing and dicing of John's legal work to form views of his judicial philosophy, but I can tell you from personal knowledge that what we have here is a thoroughly marvelous human being.