Bush names Roberts to court, urges prompt vote

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Bush chose conservative
appeals court judge John Roberts on Tuesday as his first
nominee to the Supreme Court, and called for the Senate to “act
promptly” in approving his nominee.

With Roberts at his side, Bush appealed to Senate Democrats
for a “dignified confirmation process,” in contrast to the
bitter procedural battles that plagued some of his previous
judicial nominees.

Bush said Roberts would “strictly apply the Constitution
and laws, not legislate from the bench.”

“I have full confidence that the Senate will rise to the
occasion and act promptly on this nomination. It is important
that the newest justice be on the bench when the Supreme Court
reconvenes in October,” Bush said in a White House
announcement.