• Bush surprises Beltway with selection of John Roberts Jr.; Reid cautiously praises "suitable legal credentials." Bush: "I believe that Democrats and Republicans alike will see the strong qualifications of this fine judge." [WP, NYT, WSJ, LAT, WT]

• Analysis: Roberts "is at least good enough for conservatives, who hailed the nomination with a barrage of favorable reaction. . . yet someone who is genial and enigmatic enough to confound Democrats as they head into what they had long expected to be a difficult battle." [NYT]

• Analysis: "Bush appeared to have the court's future and the confirmation process in mind. . . Bush displayed his determination to put a more conservative stamp on the court." [WP]

• Analysis: "Bush reaffirmed his commitment to a bold-stroke presidency