Easy time seen for judicial nominee

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With Senate Democrats offering at least tepid praise last night, Republicans say federal Judge John G. Roberts Jr. should be easily confirmed to the Supreme Court.

"This should be a straightforward confirmation," said Sen. Jeff Sessions, Alabama Republican and member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will hold hearings on the nomination. "President Bush fulfilled his commitment to appoint an individual who is committed to restraint and not legislating from the bench."

Judge Roberts, 50, is hardly loved by Democrats and liberal groups, but he was confirmed to his current seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for District of Columbia Circuit by the full Senate without needing a vote.

"The president has chosen someone with suitable legal credentials, but that is not the end of our inquiry," Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada said. "I will not prejudge this nomination. I look forward to learning more about Judge Roberts" in committee hearings.

Sen. Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat and one of the harshest critics of Mr. Bush's judicial nominees, noted that while he was one of three Democrats who voted in the Judiciary Committee against Judge Roberts for the D.C. Circuit Court, last night's nomination was "a whole new ballgame." He pledged to remain open-minded.

Mr. Schumer also joked that Judge Roberts, a native of Buffalo, N.Y., who now lives in Bethesda, is at the very least, a Bills pro football fan.

Sen. Joe Lieberman, Connecticut Democrat and one of the "Gang of 14" senators who negotiated an end to the judicial filibusters earlier this year, told reporters last week that Judge Roberts is "in the ballpark." He added that Judge Roberts or any nominee will be carefully scrutinized.

Democratic reaction suggests that Judge Roberts may fall below the threshold of "extraordinary circumstances," the term used by the Gang of 14 to describe the circumstances under which a future filibuster would be acceptable.

Liberal groups weren't quite so generous, though even their responses were measured compared with the nasty rhetoric over judicial nominations in recent years.

"We're extremely disappointed that the president did not choose a consensus nominee in the mold of Sandra Day O'Connor," said Ralph G. Neas, president of People for the American Way. "John Roberts' record raises serious concerns as well as questions about where he stands on crucial legal and constitutional issues -- it will be extremely important for senators and the American people to get answers to those questions."