[LibertarianInExile]

So far I have heard a few positives about Judge Roberts' leanings and very little concrete about his personal opinions of the Constitution. Here's what I have that seems to indicate his leaning right, but no more than that:

1) He's a member of the Federalist Society (WaPo has an article now disputing this) 2) His wife is/was a member of Feminists for Life 3) He worked for Reagan and H.W. 4) Various personal opinions from those who know him in an article by Legal Times.

Here's what I have that strongly indicates a constitutionalist bent (at least on that issue): 1) He's written law review articles on environmental 'takings' that were strongly against that use of takings law.

I would like to hear more, as Ms. Coulter and Mr. Shapiro would, that demonstrates his likelihood of ruling the way Constitutionalists would like. Please ping me if you find more, or if there is something I have missed.

NOTE: I have specifically not included ANY writings he has produced that were at the behest of a client or while an appellate judge on settled issues. I would like to see dicta or personal opinion in those writings if you find it, but I found most of that previously brought up to be fairly dismissed as the product of zealous lawyering or commitment to stare decisis. And that is on both sides of the Roberts' debate--the 'abortion is settled law' and the 'police can search car trunks' statements are all not necessarily reflections of his personal opinion.

[alnick]

To this, some may answer that originalists should simply trust President Bush. I ask: Based on what track record?

His track record of judicial nominations, of course.

Republicans have named seven of the last nine Supreme Court appointees.

GWB didn't appoint any of them so the point is moot.

[deport]

Other discussion over here on this article, if anyone is interested....

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1447367/posts

[Babu]

My understanding is that the initial word that Roberts was a member of the Federalist Society is false, and that he has denied it.

[Iwo Jima]

I share your concerns. Judge Roberts is undoubtedly a fine man and a great lawyer, but whether he is a strong originalist remains to be seen. We just don't have the unmistakable confirmation of his judicial philosophy that we could have had with other potential nominees.

The best thing that I have heard about Roberts is that Luttig was the best man at his wedding. Is that true?

[RightWinger]

It will take years & numerous rulings to determine if we have another Scalia or Thomas.

I will let you know in a few years if Dubya screwed up.

[familyop]

"2) His wife is/was a member of Feminists for Life"

President Of Feminist For Life Of America To Address Sacred Heart
Sacred Heart University

"FFL has emerged as the link between the pro-life and pro-choice worlds, working on efforts such as the enforcement of child support and, the Violence Against Women Act."

That's not very constitutional of Feminists for Life. ...matter of fact, it's man hating and anti-family.

[Cultural Jihad]

Roberts is not an originalist. There is nothing in his very short jurisprudential record to indicate that his judicial philosophy involves strict fidelity to the original meaning of the Constitution.

You mean I still have to have a driver's license in order to drive on a public street? And the Air Force won't be ruled as unConstimatooshunal? Gosh darn!

[jwalsh07]

His apellate opinions are very sparse, mundane and dispositive of nothing. I have high hopes for him but would have preferred a rock ribbed conservative with a long and conservative/originalist apellate record in the mode of Edith Jones or Luttig and let the battle begin.

[claptrap]

We are lurching toward socialism, this judge is further proof that Bush isnt going to close the borders, Bush will
continue to send money to the Palestinians, and has no intention of stomping the Arab world into the ground. No hes going to welcome every disease riddled Mexican into our country to do the jobs we wont do.Hes going to let CAIR and the Islamic brotherhood piss all over us and our troops.Hes going to put moderate liberal commies on the supreme court (lawyers arent Americans, they are as Jesus said whitewashed tombs) Bush is into appeasement. Why not
have a show down with the communists in the Senate if
Bush was serious hed put Bork up again. My assesment is we are lurching toward socialism and a multicutural mess
and the supreme court will legislate more liberalism
Our constitution was fine until unaccountable jerks( lawyers) started screwing it up!

[shield]

His law partner said...he'd definitely reverse Roe...said he's the smartest guy around, brilliant but EXTREMELY conservative and also very humble.

[JackTom]

"President Bush had the once-in-a-presidency opportunity to nominate a clear originalist."

Can anyone give me a list of names of candidates who would have been considered "clear originalists"? Probably with some explanation why the people deserve to be called originalists.

[Fruit of the Spirit]

Yep, I knew he should've picked Ann Coulter. She's not only a lawyer, she's a historian. And Mrs. Bush would've approved. :-)

[atlanta67]

I think Ben Shipiro and Ann Coulter are dating

[ken21]

i think the president of the united states did a remarkable job!

consider the inflammatory rhetoric of the liberals, their attacks since the bork and thomas nominations, and the current onslaught of lies from moveon.org and george soros.

[CWOJackson]

In his confirmation testimony two years ago, Roberts said that judges should be "ever mindful that they are insulated from democratic pressures precisely because the Framers expected them to be discerning law, not shaping policy," and added: "That means that judges should not look to their own personal views or preferences in deciding the cases before them. Their commission is no license to impose their preferences from the bench."

[af_vet_1981]

He is not Antonin Scalia, nor is he Clarence Thomas.

I concede Scalia, but Thomas voted for pornography so that may be good that he is not Thomas.