Farewell Justice O'Connor
Now it's really hit the fan at the Supreme Court. Instead of the expected retirement of the ultra-conservative Chief Justice (who still may retire -- who knows?) we get this morning's announcement of the retirement of Associate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court.
Rehnquist's retirement wouldn't have done much to upset the current balance of the court. It would have been one ultra-conservative being replaced by another right-wing nominee by Bush. But because O'Connor was the key swing vote on the court, and arguably its most powerful member, her retirement is going to change everything. It has to be assumed that Bush will nominate a replacement for O'Connor who will be a lock to vote with the Court's conservatives on key social issues.
So now we're in for the battle royale over Senate confirmation of a new appointee. It was interesting that O'Connor made her resignation letter contingent on the actual confirmation of her successor, so if there's a logjam in the Senate, O'Connor could still be on the bench for a while. We can only hope.
Rehnquist's retirement wouldn't have done much to upset the current balance of the court. It would have been one ultra-conservative being replaced by another right-wing nominee by Bush. But because O'Connor was the key swing vote on the court, and arguably its most powerful member, her retirement is going to change everything. It has to be assumed that Bush will nominate a replacement for O'Connor who will be a lock to vote with the Court's conservatives on key social issues.
So now we're in for the battle royale over Senate confirmation of a new appointee. It was interesting that O'Connor made her resignation letter contingent on the actual confirmation of her successor, so if there's a logjam in the Senate, O'Connor could still be on the bench for a while. We can only hope.