Sen. Arlen Specter should begin holding hearings in August, and not wait until September, for SCOTUS nominee John Roberts.

Liberal groups are already professing "alarm," and beginning the process to ramp up attacks on Roberts, as the Senate heads into its summer recess.

It is reassuring that the Bush administration understands this, and is prepared to fully rebut any charges by the those on the left, almost the instant they occur. However, it would be more comforting if Sen. Specter would insist on at least beginning the hearings process in August, regardless of whether some are inconvenienced. I believe that it is asking for potential trouble to do otherwise.