STORMY ROBERTS CONFIRMATION BREWING

Since President Bush nominated Judge John Roberts for the Supreme Court, Senate Democrats have taken pains to appear conciliatory if not downright friendly.
But the leopard does not change its spots, and a skunk never smells like a rose. No one should be led to believe that the Senate Democrats are ready to confirm Judge Roberts with ease. Quite to the contrary, the demands are already being made for Roberts to turn over legal memos and papers going back to his days in the Justice Department. And the White House has already correctly given the signal that many of the old Roberts documents are inappropriate for a Senate Committee hearing.
Shades of Miguel Estrada and the Democrat obstructionism that ended with Estrada withdrawing his name rather than go through what Democrat Judiciary Committee members were asking.
One wonders if Anita Hill may be summoned by the Democrats to add her fuel to the fire. After all, Hill was recently consulted by CNN's Larry King for opinions on just what Judge Roberts is all about.
What is certain is that no amount of Roberts' paper trail will ever be sufficient to satisfy the likes of Ted Kennedy and Patrick Leahy. Judge Roberts could turn over his baby diapers containing their original poop and it still would not be enough for Dick Durbin and Carl Levin.
Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton has been hinting that she may vote to confirm Roberts. This may or may not indicate that the Democrats merely want to rant and rave without going all the way into a filibuster to block the nominee.
Nothing of substance will go forward immediately as the Senate is about to adjourn for its August break. This adjournment hopefully will allow President Bush to do a recess appointment of John Bolton to be America's U.N. ambassador. Such a move on the part of the President would be a clear signal to Senate obstructionists that the administration is finally up for a good fight.