A Fight, Maybe, but Not a Battle By Ronald Brownstein

[papau]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-assess20jul20,0,7347316.story?track=tottext

NEWS ANALYSIS
A Fight, Maybe, but Not a Battle
Roberts should appeal to staunch conservatives yet be insulated from fierce opposition.
By Ronald Brownstein
Times Staff Writer

July 20, 2005

WASHINGTON — With the nomination Tuesday of John G. Roberts Jr. to the Supreme Court, President Bush reaffirmed his commitment to a bold-stroke presidency — but also signaled an uncharacteristic interest in reducing his exposure to political risk.

Bush repeatedly has shown a willingness to accept pitched political battles as the price of pursuing dramatic change. The selection of Roberts, widely considered more conservative than retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, underscores Bush's desire to tilt the court to the right.

"For me as a conservative, it is a very impressive pick because it rejects a superficial analysis that says: 'I'm going to pick a woman or I'm going to take a moderate and dodge a fight,' " said veteran GOP strategist Bill Kristol.

But in Roberts, a judge since 2003 on the powerful U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Bush also chose a nominee unlikely to inspire either the most enthusiasm among hard-core conservatives or the most intense opposition from Democrats and liberal groups. <snip>