WASHINGTON -- Sen. Lindsey Graham predicted Tuesday that Senate Democrats won't filibuster the nomination of Judge John G. Roberts Jr. to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.
"I don't think we are going to have a process filibuster," Graham, R-S.C., told reporters moments after a closed-door meeting with President Bush's nominee.
Graham indicated he was optimistic that goodwill generated by 14 senators -- including himself -- who forged an agreement to move through six recent judicial nominations without a filibuster would continue.
"The Senate needs to reject being taken over by special-interest politics," he said. "Let's don't let the left or any special interest group take us back into the swamp."
Graham is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is expected to hold confirmation hearings on Roberts in September.
Roberts has been making courtesy calls to the offices of committee members since last week, chatting with them for a half hour or so behind closed doors and often posing for photos.
Roberts, who has not talked to the press since his nomination was announced last week, left Graham's office before the senator offered his summary of their meeting.
Graham indicated that he kidded with Roberts about their ages.
"I turned 50 in July," Graham said. "He turned 50 in January. I said I'm all for people who are 50 doing well."
They also talked about the line of questioning Roberts faces during his confirmation hearing, including the issue of legalized abortion. Roberts talked about the legal arguments that have been made by the two sides of the abortion issue.