Yesterday I watched quite a bit of the Roberts hearings via the streaming video provide by FoxNews.com. As I did so, I marvelled at the fact that Roberts could look even semi-interested and awake, sitting there listening to extremely predictable opening speeches from both sides. Kennedy and the libs want to know how he would rule on every possible scenario, and the more conservative members of the committee reminded Roberts over and over again that he has a responsibility for judicial independence and to not answer any questions about specific hypotheticals, citing previous nominees.

And finally, Roberts was given his chance at an opening statement, and he succinctly said what I kept saying to myself all day long. As the democrats kept basically saying “we need to know what your views are on these various subjects” I was thinking, “he’s a judge, not a legislature. He interprets laws, not makes them! His views on social legislative issues are irrelevant!”

Here is what Roberts said:

Mr. Chairman, I come before the committee with no agenda.

I have no platform.

Judges are not politicians who can promise to do certain things in exchange for votes. I have no agenda, but I do have a commitment. If I am confirmed, I will confront every case with an open mind. I will fully and fairly analyze the legal arguments that are presented. I will be open to the considered views of my colleagues on the bench. And I will decide every case based on the record, according to the rule of law, without fear or favor, to the best of my ability. And I will remember that it’s my job to call balls and strikes and not to pitch or bat.

And after musing about how the participants stayed awake through the opening statements, I was treated this morning with the answer from MyDD (via BAGnews).

And after bashing Coburn, Thoughts and Ideas gives him a pass:

… if I had to listen to Mr. Schumer talk about himself for ten minutes, you can bet I’d be engaging in a harder drug than a crossword puzzle. So maybe Coburn does get a pass…

And Ann Althouse has a clever summary of each Senator’s opening statement.