Not everyone thought Souter was a liberal at the time of his nomination in 1990. Jesse Helms voted for his confirmation. John Sununu and GHWB swore to his conservatism. But Warren Rudman and Joe Biden knew the truth about Souter from the beginning!
I think Rudman and Biden were the two guys hugging at the train station in my story. Rudman was also from Vermont and new his story.
As I recall, there was ONE person whose word GWHB and others like Helms were taking their key from : Sununu.
With Roberts, it is clear there are many vouching for his Constitutional credentials. I don't believe that there is a valid comparison, and also trust Ann will change her opinion about him in time.
I don't think the choice of Roberts is anything at all like a crap shoot.