Choosing A New Chief Justice(For Billy Lee Hae Gyu)

The U.S. Senate is deciding whether John Roberts should be the next Supreme Court Chief Justice
special U.S. Senate committee is deciding if Judge John Roberts should be the next Supreme Court Chief Justice. The 18-member Senate Judiciary Committee will question Roberts for the next few days about his views and his career. When hearings are over, the entire Senate will vote on whether Roberts will replace William H. Rehnquist, who died earlier this month, as head of the court.
Focus on Roberts
Roberts, 50, could be the most powerful member on the court for decades. Democrats said they want to ask questions about important issues such as civil rights, the powers of the President and Congress, women뭩 rights and more. Republicans advised Roberts to be careful when he answers questions about controversial issues.
U.S. Senator Arlen Specter, a Pennsylvania Republican, said deciding on a new Chief Justice should not be a partisan issue. "Hearings for a Supreme Court nominee should not have a political tilt for either Republicans or Democrats. They should ?be for all Americans," he said.
Patrick Leahy, one of two U.S. Senators from Vermont, said this week뭩 hearings will teach Americans about Robert뭩 views on the law. "This hearing is for the American people," he said.
Roberts Speaks Out
Roberts spoke to the special committee for about seven minutes. Roberts compared Supreme Court justices to baseball umpires. He said he sees the role of a justice as someone who makes sure "everybody plays by the rules, but it is a limited role. Nobody ever went to a ballgame to see the umpire."
Roberts was nominated in July to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who plans to retire. After the death of Chief Justice Rehnquist on September 3, President Bush asked Roberts to fill the top spot on the nation뭩 highest court.
What뭩 Next?
Specter, the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he believes hearings will be finished by the end of this week.
The hope is that a new Chief Justice will be selected by October 3, when the Supreme Court begins its new term. If confirmed by the Senate, Roberts will be the 17th Supreme Court Chief Justice since the court first met on February 2, 1790.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1.How many members does the Juciary Committe in America compose?
2.How old is John Roberts?
3.During the hearing , what would be the focus of the questions that would be asked him about?
4.According to the Republicans, he should be careful on answering what particular issues?
5.After John Roberts spoke to the special committee for seven minutes, where did he literally compare the court justice? Explain each roles.
6.In your own stand, are you in favor of John Roberts?