DC: A forthcoming biography of Chief Justice John Roberts contains the first account of the Supreme Court’s internal politicking over the 2012 NFIB v. Sebelius decision, in which Roberts joined with the Court’s four liberals to uphold the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate.
A review of the much anticipated book — the first major Roberts biography — will appear in the March edition of the Atlantic, which disseminates new details of the chief’s scheming in advance of the book’s release.
The book relates that in the weeks following the March 2012 arguments, Roberts voted with the conservative bloc to strike down the individual mandate, finding Congress had exceeded its power under the commerce clause by compelling people to buy insurance.
Roberts elected to keep the majority opinion for himself — one of the few formal powers of the chief justice is the duty to assign opinions.
As time progressed, Roberts grew uneasy and sought a third way. Initially, he hoped Justice Anthony Kennedy — the vaunted swing justice who had negotiated compromise decisions in seminal cases before — would be amenable to such negotiations. Whatever his reputation, Kennedy was not a moderate but an idiosyncratic ideologue, and he was convinced the ACA was unconstitutional. more
Roberts consults Bader continually. Her head is in the Insta Pot he brought to the Court and that thing blinks though it is not plugged in. She lives!
Constitutionality is negotiable? Who knew?
Johnny, you fupped duck. I hope you see that now.
The rest of us have known all along.
Roberts betrayed the Constitution, all Americans and himself.
He can no longer be trusted to interpret the Constitution or the law.
It’s always been my opinion that the left is holding something on him.
I already know everything I need to know about Robert’s.
@ Different Tim FEBRUARY 4, 2019 AT 4:30 PM
Ya’ think?
http://www.ashford.zone/2005/08/in_which_i_blog
I echo Uncle Al. Since when did the law become negotiable. I suspect that Roberts knew what he was doing was wrong and insulting to the position of a Supreme Court Justice but for some reason lost the courage of his convictions and decided to fold. What I’d like to know is why he started wavering toward the end of deliberation. If he truly changed his mind then vote your what you really think and be ready to explain. He’s not worthy of position of Justice let alone Chief Justice.
Roberts has something in his past that he wants to take to the grave w/him, the Chicago Democrat machine has the goods on him.
Just think of the billions of dollars that Roberts’ dithering and dishonesty cost this country. Consider all the waste with Obamacare and the destruction of the American Healthcare System. Now watch this weasel become the moderate swing vote as Trump adds conservatives to the Supreme Court. There are only four true conservatives on the Supreme Court.
Great Picture! RGB doing almost a face plant! Wicked good!
Oops, on topic this was about Roberts, sorry. Nah, just keep editing that pix! Awesome,
The article called it “scheming”; that is exactly what it was. Why all the game playing? If 5 of the 9 agree then that’s the decision. I feel really uncomfortable with the upcoming abortion and 2nd amendment cases pending. Come on Ruth, let it go!
@anonymous – wow, he ate Lobster and Quiche. Good detective work. Have you ever considered offering your talent to law enforcement?
I don’t think this book will reach Best Seller status.
“trusted to interpret the Constitution”.
As if any of them have been. Just puppets for life,,, their own life that is, never any concern of yours.
What did Barry have on you ? I know what Trump has on you- whatever Barry had on you and the fact that you appointed all the judges on the unconstitutional fraud that is the FISA court …
I have always had the feeling he was being blackmailed by the left. They probably had barry take pictures of him in a gay bath house.
Robert was picked by “W”, right? Why is anyone surprised he turned out to be such a mush on government interfering in to our lives?
The nation needs RGB gone and a constitutionalist on the bench to offset the damage Roberts has done and will continue to do if given half a majority.
Amazing someone would protect their reputation over an entire country and its future.
I think a lot of people figured Obama and his people had dirt on Roberts or his wife.
I’ve often wondered what the Deep State had on him.
Anything about what they’re blackmailing him with in that bio?
No?
Didn’t think so.
Clearly, another third of your Government is warm, stinky kaka.
We paid for a Cadillac and got a Ford instead.