[Political Junkie Too]

I wonder if GW Bush and his proxy Alberto Gonzales, who supposedly vetted Roberts, didn't nominate Roberts because he would likely make a ruling as he ended up doing on AZ's SB1070.

I think they nominated Roberts because the Senate, bullied by Chuck Schumer, was making idealogy an issue in Judicial confirmations. Schumer was running around yelling "extreme" to any of Bush's nominees, including Janice Roders Brown, Miguel Estrada, and Charles Pickering.

Roberts appeared smooth, not extreme, and his hearings where he did not refer to any notes impressed many people.

He was selected to cancel the "extreme" charge from Schumer.

-PJ

[skeeter]

Bush selected Roberts for Sandra Day Oconners spot, but CJ Rhenquist died, so W withdrew Roberts name and submitted Harriet Myers instead, nominating Roberts for the top spot. Of course nominating one's personal advisor caused an outcry all around, so he withdrew Myers and went with Alito.

Bottom line is he wanted Roberts on the court from the get-go.

Just a little history.