United States: President Bush nominated conservative appeals court judge John Roberts yesterday to replace the late William Rehnquist as Supreme Court chief justice, the top judicial position in the United States.
Senate leaders planned to delay Judge Roberts' confirmation hearing out of respect for Judge Rehnquist, who died on Saturday of thyroid cancer.
"Judge Roberts has earned the nation's confidence, and I'm pleased to announce that I will nominate him to serve as the 17th chief justice of the Supreme Court," Mr Bush said in the Oval Office with Judge Roberts at his side.
The choice was in a certain sense a sentimental one, given that Judge Roberts was once a law clerk for Judge Rehnquist, and a shrewd political move. Judge Rehnquist's death at age 80 left a rare two openings on the high court and gave Mr Bush the chance to move it to the right for decades to come. Senate Democrats have said they would give Judge Roberts (50) intense scrutiny given the enormous power the court wields.
As a newcomer already nominated to serve as one of the high court's eight associate justices, Judge Roberts' background and credentials have been scrutinised and no major obstacles found.
Mr Bush, grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, urged the Senate to move quickly to confirm Judge Roberts in time for the October 3rd start of the new term of the Supreme Court.
"The Senate is well along in the process of considering Judge Roberts' qualifications. They know his record, and his fidelity to the law. I'm confident the Senate can complete hearings and confirm him as chief justice within a month," Mr Bush said.
US Senate leaders agreed to delay the start of a confirmation hearing of Judge Roberts until at least Thursday and no later than next Monday, a Republican official said.
"Our eye is on having John Roberts confirmed by the time the Supreme Court begins its new term," the official said.
While some Senate Democrats call Judge Roberts out of the mainstream, his confirmation has seemed assured.
But Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada said: "Now that the president has said he will nominate Judge Roberts as chief justice, the stakes are higher and the Senate's advice and consent responsibility is even more important. If confirmed to this lifetime job, John Roberts would become the leader of the third branch of the federal government and the most prominent judge in the nation."
Mr Bush nominated Judge Roberts in July to replace Judge Sandra Day O'Connor, who is retiring, but said yesterday he wanted Judge Roberts to replace Judge Rehnquist instead. - (Reuters)