The Next Justice

Wall Street Journal ^ | July 22, 2005 | Manuel Miranda

[JBW]

Just after the First World War, President Woodrow Wilson, a Democrat, was not very successful in garnering support in the Senate for American membership in the League of Nations. Opposition was led by Republican Sen. William Borah of Idaho. Years later Borah was asked why he thought the League was such a bad idea. "I didn't," he answered. "I was against it because it was Wilson's idea."

So far the opposition on the left to President Bush's nominee as the next associate justice of the Supreme Court, John Roberts Jr., has mustered no more intellectual firepower than that.

[JBW]

Is Roberts a Blank Slate?

Critics from both the left and the right have leveled criticism at Judge John G. Roberts based on the argument that he is a "blank slate".

Ralph Neas of PFAW has written that "The enthusiastic embrace of John Roberts by radical right leaders who have been demanding more far-right activists like Scalia and Thomas on the Court should sound alarm bells . . . "

From the right, Ann Coulter calls the nominee a "Souter in Roberts Clothing" and that the President "has given us a Supreme Court nomination that will placate no liberals and should please no conservatives."

More at www.jonathanbwilson.com

[Coxy]

I see no reason to think Roberts will be another Souter. To me, his history suggests an adherence to originalism and common sense. While he isn't as overtly constructionist as Luttig, Garza, or McConnell, he does seem to fall into that camp. Only time will tell. I remain confident nonetheless.