[JURIST] Sen. Patrick Leahy [official website], ranking Democrat on the US Senate Judiciary Committee, said Wednesday that he will support the confirmation [Leahy statement] of John Roberts [JURIST news archive] as Chief Justice of the United States.

11:34 AM ET – In his statement to the Senate [text], Leahy expressed disappointment with the administration for failing to properly consult the Senate on Roberts' nomination or release all of the necessary documents for Senate consideration. Still, he announced that as with all judicial nominations, he has carefully weighed Roberts' nomination and concluded that:

Judge Roberts is a man of integrity. I can only take him at his word that he does not have an ideological agenda. For me, a vote to confirm requires faith that the words he spoke to us have meaning. I can only take him at his word that he will steer the court to serve as an appropriate check on potential abuses of presidential power.

I respect those who have come to different conclusions, and I readily acknowledge the unknowable at this moment, that perhaps they are right and I am wrong. Only time will tell.

All of us will vote this month but only later will we know if Judge Roberts proves to be the kind of Chief Justice he says he would be, if he truly will be "his own man." I hope and trust that he will be.

AP has more.