As mhairman of the Governor's Merit Task Force, Roberts blasted Stumbo for boycotting the Task Force's work. And when Roberts got subpoenaed to appear before the grand jury investigating state merit hirings, he again blasted the attorney general. So Roberts is already ticked off at Stumbo and is probably hankering for a chance to challenge him in 2007. Of course, as Fletcher's personnel secretary, Roberts will be an easy target in any election.

Roberts is an articulate, straight-shooting guy who hasn't been completely soiled by his experience in the Fletcher Administration. Reporters like him. He'd make an attractive candidate for the Republicans to run against Stumbo. Of course, the GOP is capable of screwing up the attorney general's race. The chief example is nominating Jack Wood in 2003 instead of Tim Feeley, who would have been an exceptional candidate and solid attorney general.

Here's a little background on Roberts. He played basketball at Transylvania University. Got his law degree then went to work for the Fayette Commonwealth Attorney's office. He moved to Louisville for another prosecutor's job, in the U.S. Attorney's Office before moving on to the Fletcher administration.