9.06.2005
Roberts Faces Hard Task As Chief Justice (Guardian.co.uk)
Monday September 5, 2005 8:46 PM
By GINA HOLLAND
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - John Roberts faces the unsettling task of reigning in strong-willed and experienced colleagues, including two men he beat out for the job of chief justice, Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas.
As chief, Roberts would serve as administrative leader of the court. But he must earn the respect of his colleagues in order to corral conservative majorities.
President Bush picked the 50-year-old appeals court judge on Monday to succeed William H. Rehnquist, passing over conservative Supreme Court justices the president has praised in the past: Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas.
If confirmed, Roberts would become the junior member of the court, where the average age is 70. In a twist, he would be its administrative captain.
His background should help. He argued dozens of Supreme Court cases, as a government lawyer and in private practice. He also served as a law clerk to then-associate Justice Rehnquist.
But he has never attended a conference where the justices debate cases. The weekly meetings are open only to the nine justices. Roberts would run the sessions, and that requires keeping long-winded justices in line.
Rehnquist, 80, was known for silencing colleagues with a single stern stare. Scalia publicly complained about the time limits on discussions, but bowed to the senior Rehnquist out of respect.
As chief justice, Roberts would take the center seat on the bench, where justices sit in order of seniority. He would call up cases, maintain order and serve as the time keeper. Rehnquist was a stickler.
(More ... Guardian Unlimited | World Latest | Roberts Faces Hard Task As Chief Justice) ¶ 09:44
By GINA HOLLAND
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - John Roberts faces the unsettling task of reigning in strong-willed and experienced colleagues, including two men he beat out for the job of chief justice, Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas.
As chief, Roberts would serve as administrative leader of the court. But he must earn the respect of his colleagues in order to corral conservative majorities.
President Bush picked the 50-year-old appeals court judge on Monday to succeed William H. Rehnquist, passing over conservative Supreme Court justices the president has praised in the past: Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas.
If confirmed, Roberts would become the junior member of the court, where the average age is 70. In a twist, he would be its administrative captain.
His background should help. He argued dozens of Supreme Court cases, as a government lawyer and in private practice. He also served as a law clerk to then-associate Justice Rehnquist.
But he has never attended a conference where the justices debate cases. The weekly meetings are open only to the nine justices. Roberts would run the sessions, and that requires keeping long-winded justices in line.
Rehnquist, 80, was known for silencing colleagues with a single stern stare. Scalia publicly complained about the time limits on discussions, but bowed to the senior Rehnquist out of respect.
As chief justice, Roberts would take the center seat on the bench, where justices sit in order of seniority. He would call up cases, maintain order and serve as the time keeper. Rehnquist was a stickler.
(More ... Guardian Unlimited | World Latest | Roberts Faces Hard Task As Chief Justice) ¶ 09:44
