Rehnquist dies, creates 2d Court vacancy

[JCDunkDogs]

WASHINGTON - Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist died Saturday evening of cancer, ending a 33-year Supreme Court career during which he oversaw the court's conservative shift, presided over an impeachment trial and helped decide a presidential election. His death creates a rare second vacancy on the nation's highest court.


IMHO, they will be talking about this man for quite a while. Right or wrong, he believed in holding the line for state's rights, limiting federal power, and creating a new four-striped costume for the Chief Justice. He was controversial, and he was one for the record books.

 

[LUX]

He had straightforward views on issues, was unwavered by others, sticking strictly to his convictions and his direction of the highest court in the land. May Judge Rehnquist rest in peace now after his battle with cancer.

IMO, we need to get a moderate to fill this new vacancy and promote Thomas to Chief Justice.

 

[ocelot]

Not a good development.

 

[Sun Tzu]

He cannot possibly pick Thomas. It is more than a "promotion." There would ahve to be another confirmation hearing - what a mess that would be.

 

[LUX]

He cannot possibly pick Thomas. It is more than a "promotion." There would ahve to be another confirmation hearing - what a mess that would be.

Well, that pretty much contridicted any point I was trying to make doesn't it. LOL Besides Anita Hill, what other issues are there with Thomas?

 

[kosar]

He cannot possibly pick Thomas. It is more than a "promotion." There would ahve to be another confirmation hearing - what a mess that would be.

I didn't know how that worked, either way, but Fox just reported that Stevens is now the Chief Justice. There wasn't any mention of confirmation hearings.

 

[Sun Tzu]

That cant truly be correct Even a justice that becomes Chief must be confirmed for the new post. Stevens may be 'acting" as CJ becasue he is the senior member but he cannot be CJ without a new confirmation. Obviously Bush would never choose Stevens.

 

[kosar]

Yeah man, I guess. I don't know. It was just a scrolling thing on Fox that said 'Bush announces Stevens as CJ,' but no other mention of it from the newscasters. I thought it was weird also.

You would think it has to be Scalia, or possibly Thomas if he wants to go the minority route.

 

[kosar]

You're right, Sun. Bush has nominated Roberts for the Chief Justice and if he, or anybody else, is not confirmed before the new session begins on 10/3, then Stevens will be the CJ based on his seniority.

That seems to be a weird move. He was going to have a moderately difficult time getting Roberts confirmed as an associate justice and now he nominates him for CJ with a pretty tight time frame?

It would have been easy to get Scalia conifrmed for CJ.

 

[gardenweasel]

now we see just how enormous the last election was.....

this will swing what was a more liberal court in the other direction.....basically,roberts` confirmation will achieve that....and he`ll be chief justice at that....

if rehnquist had survived until 2008,hilary would have changed things a bit...now,a younger ,conservative will hold his place for many years to come...

like it or not....good or bad...it`s just a fact...

 

[JCDunkDogs]

It's difficult to tell about what kind of Justice Roberts will make (now Chief Justice, if confirmed as he most likely will be). What kind of conservative is he?

He doesn't seem to have as firm a conservative tone as Rehnquist had (i.e., former segregationist). But, we'll see. As sometimes happens to bright people of all kinds of political leanings who ascend to the high bench, Roberts could become more moderate.

I can't believe Bush actually tapped Roberts, instead of Scalia or Thomas. The odds that either of those two would get it were -750, IMHO. (Glad I didn't make that bet).

 

[Palehose]

now we see just how enormous the last election was.....

this will swing what was a more liberal court in the other direction.....basically,roberts` confirmation will achieve that....and he`ll be chief justice at that....

if rehnquist had survived until 2008,hilary would have changed things a bit...now,a younger ,conservative will hold his place for many years to come...

like it or not....good or bad...it`s just a fact...

Yep we just may slip this one past the Libs ! It will be huge if he can make Roberts the C.J. hes a Conservative no doubt and also very young ...If Bush pulls this off I will thank him for 40 years ! Holy smokes I may agree with something he does domestically if he makes this happen ! Bush is such Liberal bastage on Domestic issues it drives me nuts ! :mj14: