You may dislike John Roberts as Chief Justice, but I think there is more pressure on the CJ to maintain the Court as an institution than on the associate justices. In that position he has to be more “centrist.” Having said that, he is trying to create a “common ground” based on exactly what you said; very narrow opinions that decide only the case and controversy before the Court. In so doing, he has wooed Kagan somewhat away from the hard left of RBG and the Wise Latina.
Kavanaugh will fit quite nicely in this rubric. He will rule only on case and controversy, but over time will (along with Alito and Gorsuch) build a body of sound Constitutional precedent. The Court is like an a large cruise ship; it takes a while to change direction. I see good days ahead for SCOTUS. Even better if Trump can get one more appointment in first term (and we know who we see getting replaced).
“In that position he has to be more “centrist.” Having said that, he is trying to create a “common ground” based on exactly what you said; very narrow opinions that decide only the case and controversy before the Court. In so doing, he has wooed Kagan somewhat away from the hard left of RBG and the Wise Latina.”
Well reasoned commentary.