For much of Leahy’s speech, it was unclear whether he was going to announce that he would oppose or support Roberts. One clue was his statement that in the past he had voted for most of the nominees from presidents of both parties. “I have drawn the line only at those nominees who were among the most ideologically extreme and who came to us in the mold of activists,” Leahy said. Portraying Roberts in that light would obviously be difficult.

Leahy said that for his constituency, a no vote would have been more popular. But he said that he would follow his conscience and vote for Roberts.

Leahy’s decision obviously means that there will not be a party-line vote in the Judiciary Committee. And it also suggests that senators who are arguing that Democrats should support Roberts so they can more effectively oppose the next Bush Court nominee may be gaining the upper hand in the debate among Senate Democrats.