Chief Justice John Roberts and the right: Six steps toward reconciliation

Attention, conservatives: We know it still hurts. Stings and shocks, really, like that cute, doe-eyed French actress suddenly shanking Batman in “The Dark Knight Rises,” an unexpected stab in Red America’s kidneys.

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. …

Our guy! Everything’s cool.

… sides with the Supreme Court majority …

Wait — what’s that in his hand?

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For faithful right-wingers, the vote by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. ... more >

… and upholds the constitutionality of Obamacare.

And in goes the OWWW!

Yes, conservatives of all stripes — Rep. Paul Ryan to John Yoo to Rush Limbaugh to the angry blogger who called Chief Justice Roberts “at best, insane” — have a right to feel blindsided. Betrayed. Theatrically emotional.

Georgia Republican Rep. Phil Gingrey not wanting to drink a beer with Mr. Roberts? Jenny Beth Martin of the Tea Party Patriots thinking the Obamacare ruling will go down with Plessy v. Ferguson and Dred Scott? Indiana Republican Rep. Mike Pence likening the ruling to 9/11?

Understood. Vent away. Let your feelings out.

But then, get over it.

A recent CBS News poll found that among self-identified conservatives, only 9 percent have a favorable view of Chief Justice Roberts; meanwhile, 13 percent of liberals give the justice a positive rating. Which is, to borrow a term, insane.

“Roberts has been like a reliable, if not terribly exciting boyfriend,” said Mindy Utay, a New York-based therapist and Huffington Post blogger. “You know you can count on him. He’s smart and steady, shows up on time, does what he says he’ll do.

“With the health care ruling, he’s suddenly like a fiance who makes out with your best friend at your engagement party in front of all your guests. Conservatives are both betrayed and embarrassed.”

Indeed. For faithful right-wingers, Chief Justice Roberts‘ switcheroo is basically akin to a romance gone wrong. Yet here’s the rub: He isn’t going anywhere. The man is 57, has a lifetime appointment and, ironically, a great government health plan. He’ll be rocking the black robes for a long, long time to come.

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