[sam h]

Harry Reid: "No one doubts that John Roberts is an excellent lawyer and an affable person," Mr. Reid said on the Senate floor. "But at the end of this process, I have too many unanswered questions about the nominee to justify a vote confirming him to this enormously important lifetime position."

"The question is close," Mr. Reid said, adding that the arguments against the nominee "do not warrant extraordinary procedural tactics to block the nomination."

Translation: "Fellow democrats, Roberts is a fine nominee and probably the best we will get, but lets cover our asses anyway in case this turns out bad. Mr. Bush, we will filibuster if the next nominee is markedly more conservative. The ball is now in your court."