Senator Dianne Feinstein, Democrat of California, said she was conflicted about the nomination. “I’m sorting out what I feel now,” she said.

The New York Times has Frustrated by Roberts, and Unsure How to Vote.

Senate Democrats are deeply conflicted about how to vote on the nomination of Judge John G. Roberts Jr. to be the nation’s 17th chief justice, and appear divided about how, and whether, to use their vote to send a message to President Bush as he selects a candidate to fill a second Supreme Court vacancy.

Good grief these poor leftie souls cannot make a decision?

GIVE ME A BREAK!

They do NOT want to vote for Judge John Roberts because he is a Republican nominee, and a conservative..

Judge Roberts is eminently qualified and was confirmed by the Senate just two years ago for the Federal Court of Appeal.

Judge Roberts’s unflappable performance during three days of questioning has clearly put Democrats in a quandary. Some say a strong vote against his nomination could prod the White House into naming a centrist to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, a crucial swing vote. Others say that supporting the Roberts nomination could make Democrats appear reasonable, giving them more credibility to oppose the next nominee.

Flap says it makes NO difference how these lefties vote. They are viewed as partisan, the Republicans hold the majority of the Senate and barring some last minute disqualifying event Judge Roberts will be confirmed with Republican votes alone.

Then………..the Democrats can rationalize why they voted to deny confirmation to such an outstanding jurist.

As the Judiciary Committee wrapped up its questioning of Judge Roberts on Thursday morning, Democrats, who have repeatedly assailed the nominee for not being forthcoming, expressed obvious frustration. Senator Dianne Feinstein, Democrat of California, told Judge Roberts that she had “one impression of you when we had our hour in private,” and another at the hearing.

Later, in an interview, Senator Feinstein declined to elaborate. “I’m sorting out what I feel now,” she said, shaking her head.

PLEASE Senator Feinstein don’t make any more of an ASS out of yourself than you already have.

You voted to confirm Judge Roberts two years ago.

What has changed?

Your need to placate the moveon.org folks?

Judge Roberts will be easily be voted out of committee next Thursday by the Senate Judiciary Committee and then confirmed by the whole Senate.

Flap handicaps that next Friday after Chief Justice Roberts clears committee President Bush will name the successor to retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.

Technorati Tags: John Roberts, Supreme Court, Dianne Feinstein

Senate Judiciary Committee member, Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., left, greets Chief Justice nominee John Roberts on Capitol Hill, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2005 prior to the committee’s confirmation hearing for Roberts.

The ASSociated Press has Roberts Says He Won’t Be Ideologue.

Chief Justice nominee John Roberts wound up three days of sometimes-contentious Senate testimony Thursday by telling wary Democrats that ideologues don’t belong on the Supreme Court. He said his record shows he will rely on the law, not personal views.

Persistent grilling by Democrats on the Judiciary Committee made no apparent inroads in Roberts’ support among the Senate’s majority Republicans, who plan to vote the week after next to make him the nation’s 17th chief justice.

Roberts tried to reassure Democrats that he would use the “rule of law,” not his personal beliefs, to judge cases that come before the high court.

“I think if you’ve looked at what I’ve done since I took the judicial oath, that should convince you that I’m not an ideologue,” Roberts said after an impassioned plea by Democratic Sens. Dianne Feinstein of California and Charles Schumer of New York for him to explain what kind of chief justice he would be. As for ideologues, he said, “you and I agree that that’s not the sort of person we want on the Supreme Court.

The leftie Democrats are stymied. Checkmate!

For what reason would any Senator oppose this nomination besides blatant partisan politics.

Flap is anxious to hear from California Democrat Senator Dianne Feinstein. DiFi voted to confirm Roberts two years ago for the Court of Appeals, she is up for re-election in 2006, and is considered a moderate Democrat.

If she does not vote to confirm Roberts (Senator Orrin Hatch is correct), then she will probably be unable to vote for any candidate nominated by President Bush.

The Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman, Arlen Specter, should move up the timetable and vote this nominee out of committee early so the Senate can confirm Roberts before the first Monday in October.

Technorati Tags: John Roberts, Supreme Court, Charles Schumer, Dianne Feinstein