Will Roberts move left?

Judging John Roberts from his record, his writings and the near- unanimous opinion of both supporters and opponents, the Supreme Court nominee is a dyed-in-the-wool conservative whose confirmation would tilt the court further to the right.

But is it conceivable that within Roberts' chest, waiting to emerge within a few years under the mysterious influence of serving on the high court, beats the heart of a closet moderate?

With Roberts' confirmation hearings coming up on Tuesday, it's worth noting that this ideological migration has happened to others. Consider Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, whom Roberts would succeed.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/09/04/INGDDEFONS1.DTL

One of the things I've heard mentioned about conservative justices who "drift left" once they are appointed to the Supreme Court is that these justices primarily come from outside the Beltway. Like O'Connor, they are much more open to shifts in public opinion than those who are appointed from inside the Beltway jobs (like the Justic Department, for instance, where Roberts spent his time). Those who have been attorneys inside the Beltway are much more likely to be "true believers" who are rigid in their ideaology.

....and Satan will be driving a snow plow before that happens.

and I would not want to take a chance that might happen. Seems unlikely or even impossible to me.

It's that simiple, all members of the Federal judiciary will have to go once there is a regime in place that can investigate thoroughly and prove the theft of election 2000 and 2004.

Roberts is just what he writes. He's not going to change.

Shows our desperation when we have to hope that a 20+ year consistently right wing lawyer might be moderate enough to perpeetuate corporate dominance of our country in a way that is less offensive than the, let's say, pure Dominionist position.

It's a weird phenomenon.

hes not a rabid nut like scalia or thomas, he is capable of thought. I do think he has the POTENTIAL to be moderate. He will be confirmed so we will find out soon enough.

Otherwise, no.