Leahy to Back Roberts for Chief Justice
Sep 21 11:27 AM US/Eastern
By DEB RIECHMANN
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON
The senior Democrat on the Judiciary Committee announced Wednesday he will vote to confirm John Roberts for chief justice of the United States after leading senators met with President Bush to discuss candidates for a second high court vacancy.
The announcement by veteran Sen. Patrick Leahy came amid virtually unprecedented executive-legislative branch jockeying over not one, but two high court openings, the seats left vacant by the death of Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist and the retirement of Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
Leahy's decision, made public shortly after he and three other leading senators met privately with Bush at the White House to discuss candidates for O'Connor's place on the bench, came on the eve of the Judiciary panel's vote on whether to favorably recommend Roberts' confirmation to the full Senate.
Four leading senators including Leahy floated several names to Bush, but the president kept his own list to himself at a White House breakfast earlier Wednesday.
Leahy, D-Vt., said he still has some concerns about Roberts. "But in my judgment, in my experience, but especially in my conscience I find it is better to vote yes than no," he said. "Judge Roberts is a man of integrity. I can only take him at his word that he does not have an ideological agenda."
The Judiciary Committee will vote on Thursday on Roberts' confirmation. With 10 Republicans and eight Democrats, Roberts is assured of getting a majority of the committee's support before moving on to the full Senate for confirmation next week.
Moments after Leahy spoke, Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, who also serves on the Judiciary Committee, announced he would vote against Roberts.
"There is clear and convincing evidence that John Roberts is the wrong choice for chief justice," Kennedy said. "I oppose the nomination, and I urge my colleagues to do the same."
Leahy was the first of the Judiciary Democrats to announce his decision and only the fourth of the 44 Senate Democrats to do so. Democrats Max Baucus of Montana and Tim Johnson of South Dakota also have announced their support and Ben Nelson of Nebraska has edged toward an endorsement.
Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada announced Tuesday that he would vote against Roberts, but said he would not support an attempt by Demorats to filibuster the nominee.
Said Leahy: "I respect those who have come to different conclusions, and I readily acknowledge the unknowable at this moment, that perhaps they are right and I am wrong. Only time will tell. All of us will vote this month but only later will we know if Judge Roberts proves to be the kind of chief justice he says he would be, if he truly will be his own man."
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