A Surprise...But Not Really...

Well, OK! I was wrong on the nomination, and the man is definitely a conservative (good luck, congressional Republicans...), but still...I'm skeptical that we've got a true pro-lifer on our hands. John G. Roberts definitely has a pro-life personal stance. From msn.com tonight:

Abortion rights groups allege that Roberts is hostile to women’s reproductive freedom and cite a brief he co-wrote in 1990 that suggested the Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 high court decision that legalized abortion.

“The court’s conclusion in Roe that there is a fundamental right to an abortion ... finds no support in the text, structure or history of the Constitution,” the brief said.

My only lingering doubt, however, is what came directly afterwards, and I fear Bush may yet stick it to us, as it looks like Roberts nonetheless is more committed to policy as is than he is to overturning Roe:

Roberts on Roe
In his defense, Roberts told senators during his 2003 confirmation hearing that he would be guided by legal precedent. “Roe v. Wade is the settled law of the land. ... There is nothing in my personal views that would prevent me from fully and faithfully applying that precedent.”

So, still, we're not out of the woods yet. DEFINITELY a step in the right direction, though...we'll see...