Thread by @varadmehta

"By striving so conspicuously to depoliticize the Supreme Court, he has brought about the very thing he hoped to prevent: No one has done more to politicize the court than the chief justice."

@Vermeullarmine and yours truly on John Roberts' futile quest. washingtonpost.com/outlook/john-r…

"Strategic behavior flagrantly intended to advance an agenda often creates public suspicion — which may undermine the aims for which the strategy is undertaken."

Wisdom John Roberts would do well to heed, even at this late date. washingtonpost.com/outlook/john-r…

"If Roberts's apostasies have demoralized the right — Vice President Pence called him a 'disappointment to conservatives' in August — they have emboldened the left. Far from sating critics of the court, his concessions have only whetted their appetite." washingtonpost.com/outlook/john-r…

"His fundamental error has been to think that he could deflect attacks from the left by surrendering to it on some of the most divisive issues. Rather than conciliatory, these gestures have been regarded as a sign of weakness." washingtonpost.com/outlook/john-r…

"Yet court-packing need not actually happen to be effective. Another reason to promote it, which progressives . . . freely admit, is to pressure the justices, especially Roberts, into continuing to pay the Danegeld." washingtonpost.com/outlook/john-r…

"Republicans' determination to install Amy Coney Barrett on the Supreme Court a week before a presidential election can be seen as a sign of conservatives' distrust of the chief justice." washingtonpost.com/outlook/john-r…

"Barrett's confirmation was a political gambit designed to thwart a master of political gamesmanship. It was also proof of the ultimate futility of Roberts's strategy." washingtonpost.com/outlook/john-r…

My great thanks to @Vermeullarmine for his generosity and graciousness in inviting me to be his co-author. And many thanks also to @cshea4 for his editorial labors.