The Senate Judiciary Committee opens its confirmation hearings for chief justice nominee John Roberts, as senators and Roberts himself make brief opening remarks.

Committee members' statements largely dealt with whether a justice nominee should answer questions that might give clues to how he would vote on cases, including those about abortion and other hot-button issues.

In his remarks, Roberts said he has no personal agenda, comparing the work of a Supreme Court justice to that of a baseball umpire. Roberts said, 'I will remember that it's my job to call balls or strikes, and not to pitch or bat."

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