WASHINGTON - President Bush on Monday nominated John Roberts to succeed William H. Rehnquist as chief justice and called on the Senate to confirm him before the Supreme Court opens its fall term on Oct. 3. Just 50 years old, Roberts could shape the court for decades to come.

The swift move would promote to the Supreme Court's top job a newcomer who currently is being considered as one of eight associate justices. It would also ensure a full 9-member court, because retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor has said she will remain on the job until her replacement is confirmed.

Bush has never let the base of the GOP down when it comes to judges, so I had full confidence in Bush's nomination of Roberts to SCOTUS. His being elevated to Chief is not my first choice (I would have really liked to have seen Scalia in that position), but I have full faith in Roberts. We know little so I feel a tingle of nervousness putting him in the highest seat within the court, but like I said, Bush has not let us down before on judges so I have full faith.

Politically, the move makes sense. Bush probably had Roberts pinned as the new Chief to replace Rehnquist who was thought to retire before O'Connor. So Roberts being elevated to Chief now is probably just putting him where Bush wanted him in the first place. Also, this requires only two confirmation hearings rather than three had Bush elevated someone from within the court, so the political fighting is lessened. (Some would argue that drawing out these type of hearings could politically benefit the GOP because they are on much better ground, seeing as more Americans want a more Conservative court and the Dems might try to pull off a futile filibuster, political suicide, at some point out of desperation.)

Anyway, the only other thing I'll add is to say that I'm surprised Bush moved so fast. Obviously, I understand that Roberts confirmation hearings are scheduled to begin tomorrow so it is really only plausible to nominate him up before the hearings, but just two days after Rehnquist's death it seems almost too fast. I guess doing it quietly and not as part of a prime time televised announcement like Roberts was introduced is good... just seems fast...