I am not sure the Dionne column is quite so defeatist, Kathryn. Rather, I think Dionne is shrewdly laying the predicate for one of the potential lines of attack, He concludes:

The paradox of the Roberts nomination is this: Roberts seems untouchable because of his shrewd and extensive preparation for this critical moment in his life. He could be derailed only if he proves to be too shrewd, too smooth and too evasive.

Given that we all know that a) the White House will not release documents from the SG’s office, b) Roberts will not answer questions that bear on issues that may come before the Court, and c) he will do so in a “smooth” fashion (as he did at his prior confirmation hearing), Dionne is leaving open the possibility of opposing Roberts on precisely this basis. We saw something similar with Bork. He was attacked for his scholarly writings, yet when he distanced himself from some of the writings, he was accused of a “confirmation conversion.” Given that a frontal attack on Roberts’ views or experience is unviable, they’ll go after him for refusing to disclose and being “too shrewd, too smooth, and too evasive.” Of course, I hope I am wrong, and that Roberts sails through with single-digit opposition–but don’t bet on it.