Why Roberts for the SC? I think the answer is simple.

[Jackpine Radical]

For the Bushies at this juncture, there is only one bottom-line litmus test: Loyalty to the Emperor. All the other issues--Roe, torture, etc. matter only insofar as they will make it easier or harder to get the nomination through. The fact is, years ago Roberts stuck his head through the same noose that the BFEE is wearing. He helped the Bush putsch in 2001 and stands ready to do whatever he needs to to keep his owners' figurehead on the throne.

Look for another one just like him to replace Renchley. (That's what Nixon used to call Rehnquist because he could never remember his name.) The Bushies need a stacked court to maintain their ultimate grip on power when things start going funny and they need to do tricky things like squelching the Rove hunt with bogus legalisms from the SC.

[Jackpine Radical]

1. Up the flagpole just once, little thread

before letting you sink into merciful oblivion...

[H2O Man]

2. I think the plan had been

to go with Gonzales. But recent events have unfolded in a way that they did not want senators -- including John Kerry -- to ask him about that silly little twelve hour gap that's of such interest to Fitzgerald. Some are comparing it to the 18 1/2 minute gap on the old Nixon tape.

After Gonzales, there was a need for a "safe" secong choice. That meant the loyalty factor, plus membership to a little club.

[Junkdrawer]

3. Think Watergate Tapes SC decision...

and realize that RoveGate will probably have many such decisions before all is said and done...

[laylah]

4. Great hypothesis, JR!

This is payback for Coup 2000...NO doubt about it!

Jenn

[Jackpine Radical]

5. ...And, as junk points out, they want a "safe" court

that will continue to do the moral equivalent of Bush v. Gore when necessary to keep the junta in power.

[Avalux]

6. Another thing too -

Roberts is being marketed in the typical Bushco way - style over substance. He has little record to examine, so the focus is on his personality. They keep gushing about what a nice guy he is. Does that sound like anyone else we know? Remember the line - "someone I'd like to have a beer with"?