Senator Barack Obama had Supreme Court nominee John Roberts pretty much pegged during the confirmation hearings back in 2005:
“Judge Roberts… did say he doesn’t like bullies and has always viewed the law as a way of evening out the playing field between the strong and the weak.I was impressed with that statement because I view the law in much the same way. The problem I had is that when I examined Judge Roberts’ record and history of public service, it is my personal estimation that he has far more often used his formidable skills on behalf of the strong in opposition to the weak. In his work in the White House and the Solicitor General’s Office, he seemed to have consistently sided with those who were dismissive of efforts to eradicate the remnants of racial discrimination in our political process. In these same positions, he seemed dismissive of the concerns that it is harder to make it in this world and in this economy when you are a woman rather than a man.”
It’s hard to view the Citizens United decision as doing anything but tilting the field in favor of the strong. And of course, the Roberts Court is a sure thing to squash health care reform this summer.
Maybe the Chief Justice is just mad at Obama for calling him out so accurately in 2005.