Welcome to FR.
Yes, they/we do let newbies participate. By FR standards I am a newbie. I participate a great deal. Some might say far too much. LOL!
I have never been referred to as a troll, but then, I never argued when some one tried to explain the way things work around here. I listened and learned. FWIW
Why does everyone think that waiting to confirm Roberts before nominating a new CJ is a good idea? The Dems don't control squat. They can only make one fight. Excessive patisanship now with the NO Katrina relief will look even more petty and shrill.
Bush should nominate a replacement in due course. The Dems won't be able to dominate the news cycle with their drivel. Their fight will collapse. By elevating an existing Justice to CJ would permut three fights, none of which would be strong enough to be a serious threat.
Further, there is a common thought expressed here that another SC nomination will somehow overtax Bush. That's such crap. There's plenty of time in the day to address all that's going on. In fact. it may actually be better, because it keeps him focussed on important things rather than the minor stuff that dominated the Clinton presidency.
The media can only handle one fight at a time. With all that's going on, they won't be able to chisel away at the edges. Look for Bush's approval ratings to go up.