A FEW MONTHS AGO, most observers expected Chief Justice William Rehnquist’s failing health to trigger President Bush’s first Supreme Court nomination. But Rehnquist hung on, to the surprise of many, and it was Sandra Day O’Connor whose resignation brought about the first vacancy on the Court since 1994. If that seems like a long time, it is: never before in American history have so many years elapsed between vacancies on the Supreme Court. President Bush nominated Judge John Roberts to replace O’Connor, and over the ensuing weeks, the Democrats and their allies in the press have subjected Roberts to a microscopic examination–which has failed to turn up anything of note.

Justice Rehnquist’s death on Sunday presented President Bush with a new problem, which he promptly resolved by naming Roberts to succeed Rehnquist as Chief Justice. This means that Justice O’Connor will stay on the Court for the time being, and a new nominee will be selected to fill her position when she resigns following Judge Roberts’s expected confirmation.