I think it is hilarious that any reporter ever took the idea that Roberts is deeply concerned about the court's reputation. Or his own, for that matter. He never gave a fuck.
on the contrary, I think he absolutely did. he was playing the long game to get us where we were today and now he’s cashing in the goodwill that a credulous press and legal establishment gave him
Absolutely. I still cannot process Roberts twice sitting in the Senate as the judge presiding over the High Court of Impeachment. All I could see was Citizens United v. FEC and wonder how much money was his wife earning.
No, I think he did, or thought he did. Not that you're wrong, exactly, but I don't think he would have done this even five years ago, even if he (with whatever degree of self-consciousness) really wanted to. As with so many over the past decade, he always had the seed in him. It's flowering.
I mean, he has been, but only to the extent necessary to prevent the loss of power. That's the purpose of it.
Obergefell or only-partly gutting the ACA were the t-bone steaks thrown by a cartoon bandit to the guard dogs to keep them from defending the house.
And I bet a solid portion of reporters have always recognized this. It's probably why they liked talking about it so much. The cynicism and savvyness they enjoy so much has been clear as day.
