This court likes taking on hot button issues, with abortion as an exception,

So much of where the justices go in terms of terrorism, law enforcement, even abortion, a range of issues will depend on the court's composition in coming years.

It sounds great from an institutional standpoint. Maybe the Court could do a better job of persuasion. But it won't come overnight. If Roberts leads by example and writes clearly and talks to his colleagues, it may happen.

There is a very steep learning curve, even for someone as versed in constitutional law as Roberts is.

The conference itself is not a place of debate, ... They don't engage across the conference table.

If he ever thought about putting forward a hard-nosed conservative, in the wake of Katrina and the negative publicity he's received, this is not the time to pick a political fight.