I don't know for a fact that Roberts is a conservative. His relatively easy vote in the Senate makes me wonder. And Kennedy is no "swing" vote. As far as I'm concerned, on the critical issues we conservatives hold dear, he's a complete disappointment. LOL, let's not waste any more appointment opportunities. It's not impossible for the Dims to be voted back into control of the Senate, esp with Jorge Bush stepping in dog crap every chance he could last year, (Harriet Myers? Good grief!). Let's go for the gold ring, soldiers. As they say when on jury duty, "we aren't here to make friends."
I read the title of this thread and knew, just KNEW, it was an NYT piece.
I have some of your same reservations about Roberts, but his vote on the Oregon right to death statute was with Scalia and Thomas--a good start. We'll see with him. If behind every good man a good woman, his wife's activity in pro-life groups is a good sign. The left really wasn't in a position to go after Roberts, too. You couldn't ask for a better pedigree or professional evaluation, nor could you ask for a better Rehnquist protege. On top of that, they knew Bush had two picks. If they put up a fight over Roberts and lost, fighting over Alito would ring even more hollow than it has now.
As for Kennedy, yes, I agree. He's swings far more often for the wrong team. He's far better than Souter, but that's not saying much. What a total waste he was.
Alito was a very good pick. We need one more like him. Of course, the Dims are not going to go out without a bloodbath of disgusting proportions if W gets another appointment. It's very vital that we control the Senate. Doesn't look too good now. If we could just get another seat or two, we'd be in good shape.