Americans Support Roberts' Confirmation

Half of Americans have a favorable opinion of nominee

The United States Senate Judiciary Committee continues confirmation hearings today regarding the nomination of U.S. Circuit Judge John Roberts Jr. to serve as the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. The latest CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll finds that nearly 6 in 10 Americans say they would like the Senate to confirm Roberts to the high court. Support for Roberts' confirmation is higher now than it was in August, and is at the same level Gallup recorded when President George W. Bush first nominated Roberts in late July. Half of Americans say they have a favorable view of Roberts, while only about one in six view him unfavorably and one-third have no opinion. Blacks and Democrats are much less likely than whites and Republicans to support Roberts' confirmation and to view him favorably.

The poll, conducted Sept. 8-11, finds that 58% of Americans support the Senate confirming Roberts to serve as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Twenty-seven percent oppose his confirmation and 15% have no opinion.

Gallup has asked this question four times since President Bush nominated Roberts in late July, initially to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. At that time, 59% of Americans said the Senate should confirm Roberts. Then, in August, support for Roberts' confirmation decreased slightly, but still a slim majority of Americans (51% in early August and 52% in late August) supported his confirmation. Gallup polling conducted after Bush nominated Roberts to serve as chief justice upon the recent death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist -- but before the Senate confirmation hearings began this week -- finds support for his confirmation at 58%.