"Roberts has also been linked to the ultra-conservative Federalist
Society. Although Roberts says he has no memory of belonging to that
organization ..."
"... his name is listed in the 1997-98 leadership directory as a
member of the steering committee of its Washington chapter, according
to the Washington Post"

Roberts: Uh, Gee, "I don't remember if I was a member of that group or not."
Robert Byrd, "no, I don't remember being in the KKK." I wouldn't believe
either of them if they made such a ridiculous claim.

Roberts is a federalist and a conservative, what did you expect?

Roberts is also the least likely nominee to alter the original
intent of the Constitution that you'll get from Bush.

Translation: Roberts will rule in an ultra conservative way on every case he
is involved in, which is just what Bush wants.



But they are wrong. John Roberts is not, in fact, a member of the
Federalist Society, and he says he never has been.

"He has no recollection of ever being a member," said Dana Perino, a
White House spokeswoman who contacted reporters to correct the mistake
yesterday.

Once again with the I forgot defense. Sort of like the, "I forgot that
murder was against the law" line on Saturday Night Live, only they were
joking. But they expect us to believe it when this brilliant, genius, has a
memory lapse about being a member of the Federalist Society.




She said that Roberts recalls speaking at Federalist Society forums
(as have lawyers and legal scholars of various political stripes). But
he has apparently never paid the $50 annual fee that would make him a
full-fledged member. His disclosure forms submitted in connection with
his 2003 nomination to the D.C. Circuit make no mention of it.

How this urban legend got started is not clear. The issue probably got
clouded in part because the Federalist Society's membership is
confidential; individual members must decide whether or not to
acknowledge their affiliation.

Even some conservatives found the story plausible.

"I'm shocked that he is not," said Richard A. Samp, chief counsel of
the right-of-center Washington Legal Foundation.

Upon reflection, some Federalist Society members conceded that they
had never actually seen Roberts at meet-and-greets such as the
society's annual black-tie dinner.

"That's a good question, let me think. Now that you mention it -- no,"
was former Bush Justice Department official Viet Dinh's response when
asked if he had ever spotted Roberts at any Federalist events.

Viet Dinh never remembers seeing him at any meetings. Well, there you go, I
guess that lays the rumor to rest. When such a non partisan guy as Viet Dinh
says something you have to buy it lock, stock, and barrel, right. NOT!

A related question is why Roberts would not want to be a member.

Maybe it would look bad if he wants to get a better job perhaps?


Some conservatives said that a Federalist affiliation, while a
definite plus within Bush administration circles, could only provoke
hostile questions from Senate Democrats -- so Roberts, in keeping with
his low-key approach to conservatism, just steered clear.


Clever wording, he never said he wasn't a member or didn't participate in
the group, he just can't remember. Yeah, that's really believable. It would
be one thing if we were talking about some meth addict or alcoholic not
remembering but the "brilliant" John Roberts. Kind of strains credulity to
think he would forget about something important like that, doesn't it?


"It's smart from his perspective," a former Bush administration
official said.

Right, not remembering is so much smarter than telling an outright lie. Of
course, Roberts would know all about that being a lawyer. Bottom line, no
rational person is going to believe that Roberts would "forget" if he was a
member of the Federalist Society. They had him listed as a steering
committee member, must have been their mistake I guess (yeah, sure). Roberts
is just following the Bush strategy of lying if it gets you what you are
after. It's a Republican thing.

Hawke