Gregg and Sununu React to Roberts Nomination
WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 – In the eyes of New Hampshire Sen. Judd Gregg, U.S. Circuit Court Judge John Roberts has the qualities, experience and integrity to lead the nation as the next Chief Justice of the United States.
“I’ve been extremely impressed with him,” Gregg said in a telephone interview Tuesday, adding that Roberts’ answers in his confirmation hearings have been “very strong.”
And while he does not know who President George W. Bush will nominate to fill the vacancy of retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Gregg said that U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is a “highly qualified individual.”
Bush originally nominated Roberts to replace O’Connor, but when Chief Justice William Rehnquist died earlier this month, Bush recommended Roberts to be considered for Chief Justice instead.
O’Connor has agreed to remain active on the court until a replacement is confirmed.
John Sununu, New Hampshire’s other senator, said he has shared with the White House recommendations regarding replacing O’Connor.
Like Gregg, Sununu said in a telephone interview he supports Bush’s nomination of Roberts.
“He’s arguably the most qualified candidate that has been put forward to the court in my lifetime,” Sununu said yesterday, adding that Roberts has both the background and experience he sees as essential for a chief justice.
Roberts’ intelligence, verbal abilities and writing skills, as well as the respect he receives from both Republicans and Democrats make him suitable, Sununu said.
Gregg added that Roberts has the “life experience .fundamental sense of fair play,” and education required.
Once the vacancies are filled, Gregg said that the court’s main challenge will continue to be defining itself.
“I think the court’s biggest challenge is to understand its role,” Gregg said, adding that he believes the court has been “far too activist in that it has usurped the role of the legislative branch in some instances” over the past 30 years.
Gregg said he is especially encouraged by the nomination because it appears that Roberts understands that it is not the Supreme Court’s job to legislate, “but to arbitrate it using the Constitution as [its] guide.”
