[randita]

This supports a theory I heard espoused by William Kristol. The theory was that Roberts would replace O'Connor until the time that Rehnquist retired, then Roberts would be recommended as CJ and someone else would come in as a regular justice. Kristol said it would be difficult for the Senate to confirm Roberts as a regular justice, then turn around and nix him as CJ. Kristol said this the day or two after Roberts was nominated.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

This supports a theory I heard espoused by William Kristol. The theory was that Roberts would replace O'Connor until the time that Rehnquist retired, then Roberts would be recommended as CJ and someone else would come in as a regular justice. Kristol said it would be difficult for the Senate to confirm Roberts as a regular justice, then turn around and nix him as CJ. Kristol said this the day or two after Roberts was nominated.

I had also heard that Bush expected Rehnquist to retire before O'Connor, and had planned to nominate Roberts to fill that gap. Wonder who he had pegged to replace O'Connor? He wants to appoint a hispanic (Gonzales), but might have had to aquiesce to a woman to replace O'Connor.