When John Roberts’s memos from his years in the White House counsel’s office depicted him as a staunch Reagan conservative on legal issues, the Bush White House quickly explained that his staff work in no way reflected his own views, i.e. he was being a good aide who reflected the boss’s views. To reassure conservatives on the Harriest Miers nomination, the White House is arguing that the President’s preferences for judicial nominees should be attributed to Harriet Miers owing to her position as a senior aide on such appointments. Can they have it both ways?