Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court gather for an official picture, their first since December 2003, at the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., October 31, 2005. (First Row L-R) Justice Antonin Scalia, Justice John Paul Stevens, Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, (Second Row L-R) Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Justice David H. Souter, Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Stephen G. Breyer. [Roberts replaced Chief Justice William Rehnquist who died recently.] 

U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts poses for an official picture with other justices at the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., October 31, 2005. [Roberts replaced the late Chief Justice William Rehnquist who died in early September.] 

U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts poses for an official picture with other justices at the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., October 31, 2005. [Roberts replaced the late Chief Justice William Rehnquist.] 

U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts poses for an official picture with other justices at the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., October 31, 2005. Roberts replaced the late Chief Justice William Rehnquist who died in early September. REUTERS/Jason Reed 

U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts poses for an official picture with other justices at the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., October 31, 2005. Roberts replaced the late Chief Justice William Rehnquist. REUTERS/Jason Reed 

Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court gather for an official picture, their first since December 2003, at the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., October 31, 2005. (First Row L-R) Justice Antonin Scalia, Justice John Paul Stevens, Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, (Second Row L-R) Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Justice David H. Souter, Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Stephen G. Breyer. Roberts replaced Chief Justice William Rehnquist who died recently. REUTERS/Jason Reed Pictures of the Month October 2005 

U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts poses for an official picture with other justices at the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., October 31, 2005. Roberts replaced the late Chief Justice William Rehnquist who died early September. REUTERS/Jason Reed 

Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court gather for an official picture, their first since December 2003, at the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., October 31, 2005. (First Row L-R) Justice Antonin Scalia, Justice John Paul Stevens, Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, (Second Row L-R) Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Justice David H. Souter, Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Stephen G. Breyer. Roberts replaced Chief Justice William Rehnquist who died recently. REUTERS/Jason Reed 

U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts sits for a photo with his family at the Supreme Court just before his investiture ceremony in Washington D.C. October 3, 2005. He is joined by his wife Jane Roberts (back standing) and their children, Jack (L), 4, and Josie, 5. [Replacing William H. Rehnquist, who died in September at age 80, Roberts will take his seat at the helm of the high court on the opening day of the 2005-06 term as the first new justice in more than 10 years and its first new chief in almost 20.] 

U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts sits for a photo with his family at the Supreme Court just before his investiture ceremony in Washington D.C. October 3, 2005. He is joined by his wife Jane Roberts (back standing) and their children, Jack (L), 4, and Josie, 5. Replacing William H. Rehnquist, who died in September at age 80, Roberts will take his seat at the helm of the high court on the opening day of the 2005-06 term as the first new justice in more than 10 years and its first new chief in almost 20. REUTERS/J. Scott Applewhite/POOL 

U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts (R) gets into an automobile on his way to his first day at work, outside his home in Chevy Chase, Maryland, October 3, 2005. Roberts is just the 17th chief justice in the country's history, and takes the place of the man for whom he once served as clerk, late Chief Justice William Rehnquist. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst 

Court security officer Craig Carroll (L) looks on as U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts (2nd left), his wife Jane (2nd R) and children Jack (R) and Josie (C) leave their home on Roberts' first day of work, outside his home in Chevy Chase, Maryland, October 3, 2005. Roberts is just the 17th chief justice in the country's history, and takes the place of the man for whom he once served as clerk, the late chief justice William Rehnquist. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst 

Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts waits in his conference room at the Supreme Court just before his investiture ceremony, in Washington, October 3, 2005. Roberts replaces Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, who died last month at age 80. REUTERS/J. Scott Applewhite/Pool 

U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts sits for a photo with his family at the Supreme Court just before his investiture ceremony in Washington D.C. October 3, 2005. He is joined by his wife Jane Roberts (back standing) and their children, Jack (L), 4, and Josie, 5. Replacing William H. Rehnquist, who died in September at age 80, Roberts will take his seat at the helm of the high court on the opening day of the 2005-06 term as the first new justice in more than 10 years and its first new chief in almost 20. REUTERS/J. Scott Applewhite/POOL 

U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts (R) gets into an automobile on his way to his first day at work, outside his home in Chevy Chase, Maryland, October 3, 2005. Roberts is just the 17th chief justice in the country's history, and takes the place of the man for whom he once served as clerk, late chief justice William Rehnquist. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst 

Judge Roberts kisses his wife at start of the second day of his Supreme Court confirmation hearings in Washington. Judge John Roberts kisses his wife Jane as he arrives in the hearing room to testify on the second day of his Supreme Court confirmation hearings before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington September 13, 2005. Roberts, recently nominated by President George W. Bush to succeed the late William Rehnquist as Chief Justice of the United States, was pressed by senators for his views on the strength of established legal precedent with regard to the controversial issue of abortion rights and the landmark Roe vs. Wade abortion case. REUTERS/Jason Reed 

Supreme Court nominee Judge John Roberts smiles listening to a question on the second day of confirmation hearings in Washington. Supreme Court nominee Judge John Roberts smiles as he listens to a question from a committee member on the second day of his Supreme Court confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington September 13, 2005. Roberts, recently nominated by President George W. Bush to succeed the late William Rehnquist as Chief Justice of the U.S., was pressed by senators for his views on the strength of established legal precedent with regard to the controversial issue of abortion rights. REUTERS/Jason Reed 

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Specter holds up abortion decisions chart in Roberts confirmation hearing. U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa) (R) holds up a chart showing the 38 cases in which the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the landmark Roe vs. Wade abortion decision with the assistance of Senator Charles Grassley (R-Ia) (L) as Specter questions Judge John Roberts on the second day of Roberts' Supreme Court confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington, September 13, 2005. Roberts, recently nominated by President George W. Bush to succeed the late William Rehnquist as Chief Justice of the United States, was pressed by senators for his views on the strength of established legal precedent with regard to the controversial issue of abortion rights. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque 

Chief Justice nominee Judge Roberts is greeted by Senate staff members during the second day of Supreme Court confirmation hearings in Washington. Chief Justice nominee Judge John Roberts is greeted by U.S. Senate staff members as he enters the hearing room for the second day of his Supreme Court confirmation hearings before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, September 13, 2005. Roberts, recently nominated by President George W. Bush to succeed the late William Rehnquist as Chief Justice of the United States, was pressed by senators for his views on the strength of established legal precedent with regard to the controversial issue of abortion rights. REUTERS/Jim Bourg 

Judge John Roberts enters the hearing room for the second day of his Supreme Court confirmation hearings before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington September 13, 2005. Roberts, recently nominated by President George W. Bush to succeed the late William Rehnquist as Chief Justice of the U.S., was pressed by senators for his views on the strength of established legal precedent with regard to the controversial issue of abortion rights. REUTERS/Jim Bourg JRB/CN 

Chief Justice nominee Judge John Roberts (L) appears on the second day of his Supreme Court confirmation hearings before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington September 13, 2005. Roberts, recently nominated by President George W. Bush to succeed the late William Rehnquist as Chief Justice of the U.S., was pressed by senators for his views on the strength of established legal precedent with regard to the controversial issue of abortion rights and the landmark Roe vs. Wade abortion case. REUTERS/Jason Reed JIR/NL 

U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) (R) questions Chief Justice nominee Judge John Roberts (not in picture) alongside other Senators (L-R), Committee Chairman Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT), on the second day of Roberts' Supreme Court confirmation hearings before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington September 13, 2005. Roberts, recently nominated by President George W. Bush to succeed the late William Rehnquist as Chief Justice of the U.S., was pressed by senators for his views on the strength of established legal precedent with regard to the controversial issue of abortion rights and the landmark Roe vs. Wade abortion case. REUTERS/Jason Reed JIR/NL 

Chief Justice nominee Judge John Roberts makes a point on the second day of his Supreme Court confirmation hearings before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington September 13, 2005. Roberts, recently nominated by President George W. Bush to succeed the late William Rehnquist as Chief Justice of the U.S., was pressed by senators for his views on the strength of established legal precedent with regard to the controversial issue of abortion rights and the landmark Roe vs. Wade abortion case. REUTERS/Jason Reed JIR/NL 

Chief Justice nominee Roberts is questioned by Senator Kennedy at Roberts' Senate Confirmation Hearing in Washington. Chief Justice nominee Judge John Roberts (back to camera) is questioned by U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) (R) alongside other Senators (L-R) Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Committee Chairman Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) on the second day of Roberts' Supreme Court confirmation hearings before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington September 13, 2005. Roberts, recently nominated by President George W. Bush to succeed the late William Rehnquist as Chief Justice of the U.S., was pressed by senators for his views on the strength of established legal precedent with regard to the controversial issue of abortion rights and the landmark Roe vs. Wade abortion case. REUTERS/Jason Reed 

Chief Justice nominee John Roberts is challenged by Senator Ted Kennedy at his Senate Confirmation Hearing in Washington. Judge John Roberts (R) appears on a tv screen being questioned by U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) (L) on the second day of Roberts' Supreme Court confirmation hearings before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, September 13, 2005. Roberts, recently nominated by President George W. Bush to succeed the late William Rehnquist as Chief Justice of the United States, was pressed by senators for his views on the strength of established legal precedent with regard to the controversial issue of abortion rights and the landmark Roe vs. Wade abortion case. REUTERS/Jason Reed 

Senator Ted Kennedy speaks to Chief Justice nominee John Roberts at his Senate Confirmation Hearing in Washington. U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) appears on a TV screen questioning Judge John Roberts on the second day of Roberts' Supreme Court confirmation hearings before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, September 13, 2005. Roberts, recently nominated by President George W. Bush to succeed the late William Rehnquist as Chief Justice of the United States, was pressed by senators for his views on the strength of established legal precedent with regard to the controversial issue of abortion rights and the landmark Roe vs. Wade abortion case. REUTERS/Jason Reed 

Chief Justice nominee John Roberts is challenged by Senator Ted Kennedy at his Senate Confirmation Hearing in Washington. Judge John Roberts (C) is questioned by U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) (R) as Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter (R-PA) (L) looks on during the second day of Roberts' Supreme Court confirmation hearings before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, September 13, 2005. Roberts, recently nominated by President George W. Bush to succeed the late William Rehnquist as Chief Justice of the United States, was pressed by senators for his views on the strength of established legal precedent with regard to the controversial issue of abortion rights and the landmark Roe vs. Wade abortion case. REUTERS/Jason Reed 

Chief Justice nominee John Roberts is challenged by Senator Ted Kennedy at his Senate Confirmation Hearing in Washington. Judge John Roberts (R) appears on a TV screen being questioned by U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) (L) on the second day of Roberts' Supreme Court confirmation hearings before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, September 13, 2005. Roberts, recently nominated by President George W. Bush to succeed the late William Rehnquist as Chief Justice of the United States, was pressed by senators for his views on the strength of established legal precedent with regard to the controversial issue of abortion rights and the landmark Roe vs. Wade abortion case. REUTERS/Jason Reed 

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Specter holds up abortion decisions chart in Roberts confirmation hearing. U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa) (R) holds up a chart showing the 38 cases in which the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the landmark Roe vs. Wade abortion decision with the assistance of Senator Charles Grassley (R-Ia) (L) as Specter questions Judge John Roberts on the second day of Roberts' Supreme Court confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington, September 13, 2005. Roberts, recently nominated by President George W. Bush to succeed the late William Rehnquist as Chief Justice of the United States, was pressed by senators for his views on the strength of established legal precedent with regard to the controversial issue of abortion rights. REUTERS/Jason Reed 

Supreme Court nominee Judge John Roberts testifies on the second day of his Supreme Court confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington September 13, 2005. Roberts, recently nominated by President George W. Bush to succeed the late William Rehnquist as Chief Justice of the United States, was pressed by senators for his views on the strength of established legal precedent with regard to the controversial issue of abortion rights. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque JRB/CN 

Chief Justice nominee Judge John Roberts responds to questions on the second day of his Supreme Court confirmation hearings before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington September 13, 2005. Roberts, recently nominated by President George W. Bush to succeed the late William Rehnquist as Chief Justice of the U.S., was pressed by senators for his views on the strength of established legal precedent with regard to the controversial issue of abortion rights and the landmark Roe vs. Wade abortion case. REUTERS/Jason Reed JIR/NL 

Supreme Court nominee Judge John Roberts smiles as he listens to a question from a committee member on the second day of Roberts' Supreme Court confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington, September 13, 2005. Roberts, recently nominated by President George W. Bush to succeed the late William Rehnquist as Chief Justice of the United States, was pressed by senators for his views on the strength of established legal precedent with regard to the controversial issue of abortion rights. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque JRB/AT 

Supreme Court nominee Judge John Roberts listens to a question from a committee member on the second day of Roberts' Supreme Court confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington September 13, 2005. Roberts, recently nominated by President George W. Bush to succeed the late William Rehnquist as Chief Justice of the U.S., was pressed by senators for his views on the strength of established legal precedent with regard to the controversial issue of abortion rights. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque JRB/NL 

Judge Roberts sits in front of chart of Supreme Court abortion decisions on the second day of confirmation hearings in Washington. Supreme Court nominee Judge John Roberts answers questions about abortion rights from U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa) while sitting in front of a chart provided by Specter showing the 38 cases in which the Supreme Court has upheld the landmark Roe vs. Wade abortion decision on the second day of Roberts Supreme Court confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington September 13, 2005. Roberts, recently nominated by President George W. Bush to succeed the late William Rehnquist as Chief Justice of the U.S., was pressed by senators for his views on the strength of established legal precedent with regard to the controversial issue of abortion rights. REUTERS/Jason Reed 

Judge Roberts responds to Senators questions during the second day of his Supreme Court confirmation hearings in Washington. Judge John Roberts answers questions from Senators on the second day of his Supreme Court confirmation hearings before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington September 13, 2005. Roberts, recently nominated by President George W. Bush to succeed the late William Rehnquist as Chief Justice of the U.S., was pressed by senators for his views on the strength of established legal precedent with regard to the controversial issue of abortion rights and the landmark Roe vs. Wade abortion case. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque 

Judge Roberts answers question in front of chart of Supreme Court abortion decisions on the second day of hearings in Washington. Supreme Court nominee Judge John Roberts responds to questions about abortion rights from U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa) while sitting in front of a chart provided by Specter showing the 38 cases in which the Supreme Court has upheld the landmark Roe vs. Wade abortion decision on the second day of Roberts Supreme Court confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington September 13, 2005. Roberts, recently nominated by President George W. Bush to succeed the late William Rehnquist as Chief Justice of the U.S., was pressed by senators for his views on the strength of established legal precedent with regard to the controversial issue of abortion rights. REUTERS/Jason Reed 

Judge Roberts sits in front of chart of Supreme Court abortion decisions on second day of confirmation hearings in Washington. Supreme Court nominee Judge John Roberts answers questions about abortion rights from U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa) while sitting in front of a chart provided by Specter showing the 38 cases in which the Supreme Court has upheld the landmark Roe vs. Wade abortion decision on the second day of Roberts Supreme Court confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington September 13, 2005. Roberts, recently nominated by President George W. Bush to succeed the late William Rehnquist as Chief Justice of the U.S., was pressed by senators for his views on the strength of established legal precedent with regard to the controversial issue of abortion rights. REUTERS/Jason Reed 

Judge John Roberts testifies on the second day of his Supreme Court confirmation hearings before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, September 13, 2005. Roberts, recently nominated by President George W. Bush to succeed the late William Rehnquist as Chief Justice of the U.S., was pressed by senators for his views on the strength of established legal precedent with regard to the controversial issue of abortion rights and the landmark Roe vs. Wade abortion case. REUTERS/Jason Reed JRB/NL 

Judge Roberts kisses his wife at start of the second day of his Supreme Court confirmation hearings in Washington. Judge John Roberts kisses his wife Jane as he arrives in the hearing room to testify on the second day of his Supreme Court confirmation hearings before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington September 13, 2005. Roberts, recently nominated by President George W. Bush to succeed the late William Rehnquist as Chief Justice of the United States, was pressed by senators for his views on the strength of established legal precedent with regard to the controversial issue of abortion rights and the landmark Roe vs. Wade abortion case. REUTERS/Jason Reed 

Judge John Roberts answers questions from Senators on the second day of his Supreme Court confirmation hearings before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington September 13, 2005. Roberts, recently nominated by President George W. Bush to succeed the late William Rehnquist as Chief Justice of the U.S., was pressed by senators for his views on the strength of established legal precedent with regard to the controversial issue of abortion rights and the landmark Roe vs. Wade abortion case. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque JRB/NL 

Judge John Roberts answers questions from Senators on the second day of his Supreme Court confirmation hearings before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, September 13, 2005. Roberts, recently nominated by President George W. Bush to succeed the late William Rehnquist as Chief Justice of the United States, was pressed by senators for his views on the strength of established legal precedent with regard to the controversial issue of abortion rights and the landmark Roe vs. Wade abortion case. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque JRB/AT 

Judge John Roberts responds to questions on the second day of his Supreme Court confirmation hearings before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, September 13, 2005. Roberts, recently nominated by President George W. Bush to succeed the late William Rehnquist as Chief Justice of the United States, was pressed by senators for his views on the strength of established legal precedent with regard to the controversial issue of abortion rights and the landmark Roe vs. Wade abortion case. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque JRB/AT 

Judge Roberts shakes hands with Senators Leahy and Specter at start of first day of Supreme Court confirmation hearings in Washington. Judge John Roberts (R), nominated by U.S. President George W. Bush to be Chief Justice of the U.S., shakes hands with Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa), center, as he talks with Specter and ranking minority member Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt) (L) at the start of Robert's Supreme Court confirmation hearings before the committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, September 12, 2005. Roberts was initially nominated to replace retiring Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, but after the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist, Bush nominated Roberts to replace Rehnquist as Chief Justice. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque 

Judge John Roberts smiles as he is sworn in to testify at his US Senate confirmation hearings for Supreme Court in Washington. Judge John Roberts, nominated by U.S. President George W. Bush to be Chief Justice of the U.S., smiles as he is sworn in to testify on the first day of his Supreme Court confirmation hearings before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, September 12, 2005. Roberts was initially nominated to replace retiring Associated Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, but after the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist, Bush nominated Roberts to replace Rehnquist as Chief Justice. REUTERS/Jim Bourg 

Roberts is sworn in to testify at his US Senate confirmation hearings for Chief Justice of Supreme Court in Washington. Judge John Roberts, nominated by U.S. President George W. Bush to be Chief Justice of the U.S., raises his right hand in a packed committee room as he is sworn in to testify on the first day of his Supreme Court confirmation hearings before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington September 12, 2005. Roberts was initially nominated to replace retiring Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, but after the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist, Bush nominated Roberts to replace Rehnquist as Chief Justice. REUTERS/Jim Bourg 

Judge John Roberts is sworn in to testify at his US Senate confirmation hearings for Supreme Court in Washington. Judge John Roberts, nominated by U.S. President George W. Bush to be Chief Justice of the U.S., raises his right hand as he is sworn in to testify on the first day of his Supreme Court confirmation hearings before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington September 12, 2005. Roberts was initially nominated to replace retiring Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, but after the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist, Bush nominated Roberts to replace Rehnquist as Chief Justice. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque 

Judge Roberts gets a final hug from his young son before start of Supreme Court Confirmation hearings in Washington. Judge John Roberts, nominated by U.S. President George W. Bush to be Chief Justice of the U.S., gets a final hug from his four-year-old son Jack as he prepares to take his seat at the witness table on the first day of Robert's Supreme Court confimation hearings before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington September 12, 2005. Roberts was initially nominated to replace retiring Associated Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, but after the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist, Bush nominated Roberts to replace Rehnquist as Chief Justice. REUTERS/Jim Bourg 

Supreme court Chief Justice nominee Judge John Roberts arrives for the start of his US Senate confirmation hearings in Washington. Judge John Roberts, nominated by U.S. President George W. Bush to be Chief Justice of the U.S., arrives for the first day of his Supreme Court confirmation hearings before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington September 12, 2005. Roberts was initially nominated to replace retiring Associated Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, but after the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist, Bush nominated Roberts to replace Rehnquist as Chief Justice. REUTERS/Jim Bourg 

Judge Roberts listens to the start of his confirmation hearings before Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington. Judge John Roberts, nominated by U.S. President George W. Bush to be Chief Justice of the U.S., listens to the start of his Supreme Court confirmation hearings before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington September 12, 2005. Roberts was initially nominated to replace retiring Associated Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, but after the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist, Bush nominated Roberts to replace Rehnquist as Chief Justice. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque 

Judge Roberts listens to the start of his confirmation hearings before Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington. Judge John Roberts, nominated by U.S. President George W. Bush to be Chief Justice of the U.S., listens to the start of his Supreme Court confirmation hearings before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington September 12, 2005. Roberts was initially nominated to replace retiring Associated Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, but after the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist, Bush nominated Roberts to replace Rehnquist as Chief Justice. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque 

Judge Roberts takes seat with wife and son for start of his Supreme Court confirmation hearings in Washington. Judge John Roberts (R), nominated by U.S. President George W. Bush to be Chief Justice of the U.S., takes his seat with his wife Jane (L) and son Jack for the start of the first day of his Supreme Court confirmation hearings before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington September 12, 2005. Roberts was initially nominated to replace retiring Associated Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, but after the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist, Bush nominated Roberts to replace Rehnquist as Chief Justice. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque 

Judge John Roberts, nominated by U.S. President George W. Bush to be Chief Justice of the U.S., smiles as he takes his seat on the first day of his Supreme Court confirmation hearings before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington September 12, 2005. Roberts was initially nominated to replace retiring Associated Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, but after the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist, Bush nominated Roberts to replace Rehnquist as Chief Justice. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque JRB/CN 

New York City pastors pray in support of John Roberts to serve as US Chief Justice outside Supreme Court in Washington. Over 150 New York City pastors pray in support of John Roberts to serve as U.S. Chief Justice, outside the Supreme Court in Washington, September 8, 2005. The Senate confirmation hearings for Roberts are scheduled for September 12, having been delayed due to the funeral of William H. Rehnquist, the 16th Chief Justice who died of thyroid cancer last Saturday. REUTERS/Jason Reed 

Over 150 New York City pastors pray in support for John Roberts to serve as U.S. Chief Justice outside the Supreme Court in Washington. Over 150 New York City pastors pray in support for John Roberts to serve as U.S. Chief Justice, outside the Supreme Court in Washington September 8, 2005. The Senate confirmation hearings for Roberts are scheduled for September 12, having been delayed for the funeral of William H. Rehnquist, the 16th Chief Justice who died of thyroid cancer last Saturday. REUTERS/Jason Reed 

The casket containing the body of the late U.S. Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist is carried from St. Matthews Cathedral, Washington September 7, 2005 following his funeral service. William Rehnquist's casket was carried to the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday as colleagues, family and his chosen successor took part in a somber ceremony mourning the death of the nation's 16th chief justice. REUTERS/Jason Reed JIR/JJ 

Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) (2nd R) looks at a portrait of Chief Justice William Rehnquist in the Great Hall of the Supreme Court as fellow senators (L-R) Carl Levin (D-Mich), Christopher Dodd (D-Conn), and Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn) (R) view the casket of Chief Justice William Rehnquist as his body lies in repose, in Washington September 7, 2005. Rehnquist's casket was carried to the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday as colleagues, family and his chosen successor took part in a somber ceremony mourning the death of the nation's 16th chief justice. REUTERS/Charles Dharapak/Pool RCL JWE/VP 

Sen. Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and Sen. Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) walk in front of portrait of Chief Justice Rehnquist in Washington. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) (L) and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) walk in front of a portrait of Chief Justice William Rehnquist as his body lies in repose in the Great Hall of the U.S. Supreme Court, in Washington September 7, 2005. Rehnquist's casket was carried to the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday as colleagues, family and his chosen successor took part in a somber ceremony mourning the death of the nation's 16th chief justice. REUTERS/Charles Dharapak/Pool 

The casket of Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist is carried down the steps of St. Matthews Cathedral after the funeral ceremony in Washington D.C. September 7, 2005. Rehnquist, one of the most influential and conservative jurists in U.S. history, died on Saturday night at his home in Arlington, Virginia, after a nearly year-long battle with thyroid cancer. He would have turned 81 on October 1. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque KL/VP 

The casket of Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist is carried down the steps of St. Matthews Cathedral after the funeral ceremony in Washington, D.C. September 7, 2005. Rehnquist, one of the most influential and conservative jurists in U.S. history, died on Saturday night at his home in Arlington, Virginia, after a nearly year-long battle with thyroid cancer. He would have turned 81 on October 1. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque KL/CCK 

The casket of Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist is carried down the steps of St. Matthews Cathedral after the funeral ceremony in Washington, D.C. September 7, 2005. Rehnquist's casket was carried to the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday as colleagues, family and his chosen successor took part in a somber ceremony mourning the death of the nation's 16th chief justice. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque KL/JJ