When W Bush nominated John Roberts, I myself thought, based on his record, writings, and answers to the Congressional judicial panel, that he would be a constitutionalist in the mold of at least a William Rehnquist.
In other words, I was quite enthusiastic about Roberts.
Who would have thought that he would morph into this judge/legislator when it came to Obamacare? Did anybody really think he/she could predict that?
Heck, even the Sainted Ronald Reagan thought that Anthiny Kennedy would be a good Justice. Who woulda thunk back then that over two and a half decades later, he would give us gay marriage?
One can NEVER know how a person would change.
I understand the “had I known then what I know now” argument. Ted seems to be making the “I knew all along argument”. The hard copy is not quite backing that up IMO.
Ben Carson had a great point during the debate. The life expectancy back during the formation of the constitution was around 45 years. Lifetime appointments were perceived much differently back then.
There should be term limits for justices just as there should be term limits in congress. Sitting in office or on the bench for forty years is asinine.