Judge John Roberts

Say what you will about the President (as a matter of full disclosure, I voted for President Bush in 2000, but not 2004), but despite the joke that he is continuously "misunderestimated," he continues to be underestimated.

This is amazing considering all of the press attempting to trip him up. The Roberts pick was truly brilliant. As I have said before and will continue to say, those who underestimate the President and dismiss him as an idiot, do so at their own peril. Despite being a poor public speaker, he is a very smart guy (especially politically).

Roberts is a great pick whom, unless someone finds a Klan robe in his closet, will win confirmation. The President could have picked any number of candidates but made a good choice. He could have been swayed by some strategists who undoubtedly wanted him to pick a woman. He could have been swayed by his own feelings and picked an Hispanic. But, he chose to pick a candidate who will flummox the Democrats, and that is exactly what is happening. In fact, President Bush has nearly single-handedly turned public opinion against NARAL, the pro-abortion group, without saying a word.

Further, Senator Hillary Clinton, who is likely running for the Democratic nomination for president in 2008, finds herself backed into a corner. She even came out modestly in support for Judge Roberts, subject to her own investigation.

From a strategic point of view, this pick is doing what Karl Rove never could. If the Democrats think they can get the President to nominate a democrat to the Supreme Court, they have made a serious miscalculation and will suffer because of it.