Reply #7: Look, the chief justice...

[punpirate]

... has no additional powers when it comes to deciding cases--his or her vote counts for no more than any others. The chief justice has small additional effects on the budgets of judicial districts, or their security issues, etc., but, effectively, the office of Chief Justice--in the practical workings of the court, is mostly symbolic.

So, how does Roberts' installation ensure a conservative court for the next thirty years? It doesn't.

What counts in that future regard are the presidents elected and the composition of the Senate--not the presence of Roberts' on the high court as Chief Justice.

Cheers.