Sad news, but partisan bickering

Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist passed away this weekend at the age of 80. He will be remembered as one of the greatest justices ever to serve, protecting the ideas of Federalism and the right to life, being the last living justice to vote in dissent in Roe v. Wade.

Now, with two picks to make, President Bush has nominated John Roberts for the position of Chief Justice, and will have to make another nomination soon. However, he is being held up in Congress with questions about his opinions and past decisions. The Constitution allows the "advice and consent" of Congress, not the interrogation. They need to ensure that he understands the Constitution and how to uphold it, then give him and up or down vote. Moving Roberts and the next nominee through fast will ensure that Congress can move on to their other responsibilities and not hold up the Supreme Court from fulfilling its responsibilities.