Sandra Day O'Connor retires

[GePap]

I would acvtually be OK with Gonzales: on the core "social" issues that have the Rigth wingers goat he is moderate. So he is in fact NOT that popular with the "the diplomat's" of the world. Besides, Bush probably wants to nominate the first Hispanic to the court, or the first Asian-the first SOMETHING.

I agree with Ming, Bush is politically weakened, meaning a more right-center as opposed to far-right candidate might have to be the choice of the day for Bush.

As for pronouncements of the end of the world, bull.

There are 3 rightwingers, maybe 3 left-winger, and 3 up in the air votes in the Court right now (Souter, Kennedy, O'Connor). So even if a new Bork gets put in, the court has not all of a sudden tilted to the far right.

Ditto if Renquist goes, since it would be replacing one far righter with another.

NOw Stevens leaving, THAT is more scary.

[civman2000]

Of course, why it should be surprising that liberals would be concerned over potentially ultraconservative SCOTUS picks is beyond me. Was the religious right thrilled for Ginsburg or Breyer as nominees?

Terrible analogy. Ginsburg and Breyer were very moderate by any measure. Stevens is the only strong liberal on the Court now, and there hasn't been an "ultraliberal" nominated since 1968.

There are 3 rightwingers, maybe 3 left-winger, and 3 up in the air votes in the Court right now (Souter, Kennedy, O'Connor). So even if a new Bork gets put in, the court has not all of a sudden tilted to the far right.

Indeed; unless Stevens retires (or, as is more likely, dies), the most Bush can do is move the median to Kennedy. I would disagree with your analysis of the current court, though. IMHO there is one strong liberal, three moderate liberals, two moderate conservatives, and three strong conservatives.

[Winston]

So, at this point we have about a 50% chance of getting more SCROTUM on the SCOTUS?

Somebody had to..

To my knowledge, O'Connor did good service to the court and her country during her 25 years. She wasn't a dogmatic in terms of ideology, and brought true credit to the high position.

And of course, she was appointed by President Reagan, so..

[Admiral]

Originally posted by Winston

And of course, she was appointed by President Reagan, so..

Funny how even Reagan could appoint decent judges if he stopped paying attention.

[Ramo]

Reid has actually suggested four Republican Senators (all from states with GOP Governors) for Dear Leader to nominate: Martinez, Graham, Crapo, and DeWine. Graham would be an interesting choice.

[GePap]

Yeah, like that's going to happen...

[Ramo]

One can always dream.

[Ben Kenobi]

Stevens is the one you should really worry about, not O'Connor.

I'd be happy to see a conservative justice replace O'Connor, and for the Democrats to be forced to carry out their threat of a filibuster.

[Odin]

I don't care who gets nominated as long as it hummiliates Frist and the religious right, who will go batsh*t crazy if they get anything less than a reactionary nut like Scalia, hence weakening the Republican party base just in time for the congressional elections.

[Odin]

Originally posted by Ben Kenobi
Stevens is the one you should really worry about, not O'Connor.

I'd be happy to see a conservative justice replace O'Connor, and for the Democrats to be forced to carry out their threat of a filibuster.

And if Frist tries the Nuclear Option he can say goodbye to a conservative court when the Democrats regain power, since there will be nothing stoping us from nominating uber-liberals without the threat of the fillibuster.


I will laugh if Renquist survives and stays on the court untill early '07 if the Dems regain the Senate, his replacement would have to be a moderate.

[Theben]

Interestingly O'Connor was thought to be conservative when she was nominated, but 'liberal' on women's issues.

I guess the definitions have changed...

[DerSchwarzfalke]

An "anonymous official" -- they will soon be rare thanks to Time, so mark this day on your calendars -- announced that Bush's 'short list' included only men. I am not exactly an insider when it comes to Supreme Court affairs, so are there any qualified women out there who could conceivably find their way into the Court as this current SCOTUS dies off?

[Timexwatch]

We're probably not going to get a prominent Senator or a career jurist; the trend now is to throw up "tabula rasa" with a small paper trail in terms of legal decisions. Gonzales would somewhat fit the bill, but expect Bush to offer up someone you've never heard of who everyone will then say "Well, of course we knew about him and blah blah blah...".

It's a shame though that we won't be getting as many intelligent, thoughtful jurists on the SC. Love him or hate him, men like Scalia and Stevens and Thomas are high intelligent and well-writen. I'd hate to see another Thomas who is quite and word-thrift.

[Sprayber]

Originally posted by Odin


And if Frist tries the Nuclear Option he can say goodbye to a conservative court when the Democrats regain power, since there will be nothing stoping us from nominating uber-liberals without the threat of the fillibuster.

You say us like they actually care what you think and your apart of the team First rule when dealing with any group of politicians is to not kid yourself into thinking your on some kind of team. Your views may coincide with some of theirs but don't let that lead you to believe that you somehow count. Unless your a mover, your a pawn or just an onlooker just like the rest of us.

[monolith94]

Originally posted by GePap
Besides, Bush probably wants to nominate the first Hispanic to the court, or the first Asian-the first SOMETHING.

He'll probably try to give us the first lunatic.