[aynrandfreak]

I seem to remember he was originally appointed as a normal justice to replace O’Connor, but then Rehnquist died while he was going through the process, and they changed it to Chief Justice during the nomination process. Maybe some loophole could be exploited there?

[Spktyr]

Nope. Nominated and confirmed as Chief Justice, so Chief Justice he stays until he resigns or is impeached.

[Political Junkie Too]

I seem to remember he was originally appointed as a normal justice to replace O’Connor, but then Rehnquist died while he was going through the process, and they changed it to Chief Justice during the nomination process.

It wasn't "changed." Bush withdrew Roberts' nomination as Associate Justice and resubmitted it as Chief Justice.

-PJ

[pepsi_junkie]

They changed it to Renquists seat because Roberts had bipartisan support. That right there should have set everyone’s early warning systems off about the guy.