Bush names new chief justice

2005-09-05 14:46

Washington - United States President George W Bush on Monday nominated conservative Judge John Roberts, whom he had already tapped for a seat on the Supreme Court, to replace the late chief justice William Rehnquist.

"I'm confident that the senate can complete hearings and confirm him as chief justice within a month," when the court resumes work, Bush said in a hastily called public appearance in the White House Oval office.

Bush, who had picked Roberts to replace justice Sandra Day O'Connor after she announced in July that she was retiring, said he would announce a new nominee to replace her "in a timely manner". p>Many weighty decisions to make

The chief justice sets the tone for the court, which is often called upon to decide volatile issues like abortion and civil rights, and played a key role in Bush's controversial victory in the 2000 presidential election.

The chief justice moderates private deliberations, setting the tone for personal interactions and behind the scenes deal-making that defines the court's operations and often assigns the writing of the court's opinions.

Rehnquist, who had been Chief Justice of the US for 19 years, died on Saturday night from thyroid cancer at his home in the Washington suburbs, the Supreme Court said in a statement.

His death and O'Connor's departure have given Bush a change to put a conservative stamp on the court - which is often called on to decide volatile issues like abortion and civil rights - for decades to come.

Roberts has spent the past month meeting privately with US senators, who will be called upon to vote on his confirmation after holding hearings.

- AFP