Changes

'''John Roberts''' is the 17th and current Chief Justice of the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] (2005-). He was appointed by [[President]] [[George W. Bush]] to replace [[William Rehnquist]] as Chief Justice, after having served on the Court of Appeals for the [[D.C. Circuit]].

'''John Roberts''' is the 17th and current Chief Justice of the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] (2005-). He was appointed by [[President]] [[George W. Bush]] to replace [[William Rehnquist]] as Chief Justice, after having served on the Court of Appeals for the [[D.C. Circuit]].

Chief Justice [[John Roberts]] is known best for building a consensus, and writing opinions to maximize support by fellow Justices.  While other Justices often cite their own prior opinions, Chief Justice Roberts is a master at citing the decisions of fellow Justices to win their support for his opinion.  But by emphasizing consensus rather than clarity and force of an opinion, Roberts can issue a weak 6-3 or 9-0 opinion rather than a stronger 5-4 version.<ref>''See, e.g.'', ''[[Medellin v. Texas]]'' (2008).</ref>

Chief Justice [[John Roberts]] would like to be known for building a consensus, and writing opinions to maximize support by fellow Justices.  While other Justices often cite their own prior opinions, Chief Justice Roberts is a master at citing the decisions of fellow Justices to win their support for his opinion.  By emphasizing consensus rather than clarity and force of an opinion, Roberts occasionally issues a weak 6-3 or 9-0 opinion rather than a stronger 5-4 version.<ref>''See, e.g.'', ''[[Medellin v. Texas]]'' (2008).</ref>  Alternately, he can issue blatantly partisan, outcome-oriented 5-4 decisions,<ref>''See, e.g.'' Wisconsin Right to Life v. FEC.</ref> which led nearly a third of his first term opinions to wind up as clear partisan victories.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/05/opinion/05thu1.html?_r=1&oref=slogin</ref>

==Confirmation process==  

==Confirmation process==