A Day of Courtesy for Judge Roberts and Democratic Senators on Capitol Hill

The day after President Bush tapped John Roberts for the Supreme Court, senators rushed to the TV cameras and the Senate floor to praise the choice.

"Very affable . . . outstanding legal credentials . . . an able lawyer . . . impressive . . . a very nice man."

And those were the Democrats.

Never in the recent history of the United States Senate have so many waited so long for so little. This summer's Supreme Court confirmation was billed as an epic battle between liberals and conservatives for the soul of the country. But when Roberts's black sedan arrived at the Capitol yesterday afternoon for the first of his courtesy calls on senators, the mood was more of a coronation than a showdown.

The well-coached Roberts offered nothing but the mildest of pleasantries. And Democrats, though voicing "concern," were avoiding a fight.

"I will not prejudge the president's nominee," Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (Mass.), who famously prejudged Robert Bork, announced on the Senate floor.

"It is critical . . . that we not prejudge a nominee," affirmed Sen. Patrick Leahy (Vt.), the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee.

Sen. Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) called a news conference to declare open-mindedness. "I have no idea how I'm going to vote," he said.

The Democratic acquiescence flustered the pugilistic Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex). He visited the Senate press gallery to say he sensed a Democratic "game plan" to defeat Roberts. "I'm just pointing out some troublesome signs . . . that I find disconcerting," he warned. But his evidence of this was thin: a Kennedy statement asking whether Roberts is "on the side of justice and individual liberties."

Cornyn, sitting on the edge of an armchair and revealing cowboy boots with a Texas seal, tried for indignation. "Judges are not to be on anybody's side," he said.

From the moment Roberts arrived at the East Front of the Capitol, it was clear he was Bush's kind of guy: He was five minutes early. Compact and youthful, his hair blowing in the breeze, he buttoned his suit jacket and gave Majority Leader Bill Frist a two-handed embrace. In the corridor outside the Senate chamber, Roberts, escorted by former senator Fred Thompson, stopped for a word with Sen. John Warner (R-Va.).

"You're in good hands," Warner assured the nominee.