You're Not Going to Learn Much From a Senate Confirmation Hearing

Does anyone really expect Judge Roberts to openly talk about his views on abortion, capital punishment, and so forth? Don't we know pretty much where Roberts stands already? From what I have heard of the confirmation hearing, I actually think that the judge has responded very well to questioning. (Granted, some senators aren't exactly asking tough questions.) We're not going to learn anything new about John Roberts from this hearing. Unfortunately, we also haven't learned much from Roberts' short tenure as a federal judge or his legal career prior to being a judge, much of which he spent writing opinions and reports assigned by higher-ups. Politically, the President made a smart move by nominating Roberts; he picked a guy with credentials and experience but no significant judicial record.

Related: The Daily Show's coverage of the Roberts hearing