An e-mail circulating has our friend Shannen Coffin’s take on the chief pick:

For all the reasons nominating John Roberts to the Supreme Court was an excellent decision, the President’s decision to nominate him to fill the Chief Justice position is a master stroke. Roberts will guide the Court deftly and with the humility and respect for the law and the limited role of the courts learned from his mentor chief justice Rehnquist. While we mourn the loss of a legal giant in William Rehnquist, we can take great comfort that his legacy will continue in Chief Justice John Roberts.
“The President said that in making this decision he was looking for someone with strong intellect, temperament, and reverence to the Constitution. As a former colleague of Judge Roberts I can tell you that these credentials that guided the President in this decision are an excellent description of Judge Roberts. He is an incredibly smart man and reasoned legal thinker who, no matter what pressures he may be under, handles all challenges with great fairness and calm. Judge Roberts is a leading legal scholar who quickly earns the respect and loyalty of his colleagues. He has argued 39 cases before the Court and already has the respect of the Justices currently sitting on the Supreme Court.