Insight

Roberts should be approved

With the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina filling most broadcasts and broadsheets the last few weeks, the confirmation hearings for John Roberts have been-unlike Katrina-a mere blip on the radar screen. In fact, the hearings have come and gone with little fanfare, and Roberts' nomination for chief justice of the Supreme Court is expected to be sent to the full senate as soon as today.

Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee, the hearings' host, had hoped the question-and-answer sessions would allow for the painting of the 50-year-old Roberts as inexperienced and an ideologue, possibly scuttling his nomination to the court. Not surprisingly, though, loony liberal blowhards like Senators Charles "I-Can't-Stop-Talking-About-Myself" Schumer, N.J., and Ted "I-Can't-Stop-Drinking" Kennedy, Mass., failed to so much as dent the confirmation chances of President Bush's judicious judicial choice.

Inferences that Roberts is inexperienced were easily effaced by his resplendent resume. Roberts, a very poised and obviously intelligent man, earned his undergraduate and law degrees from Harvard, graduating with honors both times. Shortly after law school, Roberts clerked for the man he will be replacing, the late William Rehnquist. Roberts went on to serve two Republican presidents: Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. Roberts' extensive experience handling appellate cases led him to join Hogan and Hartson, one of the most prestigious and politically connected law firms in the country. Two years ago, Bush nominated Roberts to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the most influential of the federal appeals courts, where Roberts has since presided.

Claims that Roberts is an ideologue have been equally eviscerated. Roberts, unlike Democrats' politically pandering pet justices, is not a judicial activist and carefully crafts his decisions, which tend to favor precedence over anything remotely resembling politics.

Such a faithful application of the law should not be unexpected from a man who is faithful in other aspects of his life. To begin, Roberts and his wife are devout Catholics.

I wouldn't be surprised if they were members of Opus Dei, a prelature of the Roman Catholic Church that is renowned for its very traditional views and advocacy of incorporation of the faith into the personal and professional lives of its members. Roberts is also a devoted father, having adopted a boy and girl after he and his wife were unable to conceive.

The New York Times attempted to dig up the adoption records of Roberts' children, Jack and Josie, but was called out by liberal and conservative groups for the shameless snooping.

Having found nothing on which to mount a meaningful protest, the Democrats have lost the fight for what could be the most influential appointment to the Supreme Court. As usual, the Democrats' failure is to everyone's benefit, as Chief Justice John Roberts will be a conscientious and adept protector of the law.

Hail to the chief...justice!