Looks like Bill Kristol was right. Justice O'Connor is retiring from the court, which just ramps up the intensity on this summer's confirmation fight even higher than it would be if Rehnquist retired. Why? Because Rehnquist is solidly conservative, while O'Connor is the key swing vote on the court on a number of issues. Replace Rehnquist with another conservative and not much changes; replace O'Connor with a conservative, and a hell of a lot potentially changes. She's been the key 5th vote on all the hot button issues, from abortion to church and state to the death penalty. This is going to be one long, crazy summer in DC, kids. Buckle up.
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Jon Rowe predicts that Bush will have as many as 3 appointments to the Supreme Court in his second term, and most court-watchers would agree. One seems a bare minimum, two seems quite likely and three is very possible. Much of the focus has been on Chief Justice Rehnquist lately, given his ongoing…
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Even though Bill had already made a compelling argument for this, I was still caught by surprise. I have to admit I'm more than a little worried. I'm trying really hard not to launch into Chicken Little mode and run around screaming about the death of Roe v Wade and the end of church/state separation (at least what little is left), but it's really difficult to hold myself back.
Ed, what do you think are the prospects on Rehnquist? Do you think it's true that he decided to stay on? Or do you think perhaps he'll wait till O'Connor is replaced, and then announce his resignation?
Oh man. I just read Radly Balko's post about this and he's speculating that Souter might retire soon as well.
Oh well, it was a nice free country while it lasted.
Chris wrote:
I really don't know. I suspect at this point he's going to stay on. But who knows for sure other than him?
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