As the Supreme Court was set to open its fall term Oct. 3 under new Chief Justice John Roberts, observers from industry, labor unions and environmental groups were poised to look for early hints of how the "Roberts Court" will define itself. But not even two hours before the term formally began, President Bush threw a new variable into the equation, announcing he would nominate White House Counsel Harriet Miers to replace retiring Sandra Day OConnor as an associate justice.
Bush said Miers, a former Dallas City Council member and State Bar of Texas president, "will strictly interpret our Constitution and laws" but would not legislate from the bench. Miers hasnt been a judge, so court-watchers have no rulings to consult for signals of where she stands on key issues.