"I's too old, n too cantancerous, ta be a Supreme."
BALONEY! You've passed MY litmus test. Now go get your robe on. Take the seat of the bitter old hag there, Ruth such-and-such, never mind how she might fuss or throw a shoe at you....LOL
nice article, John. I agree that the qualifications are simple. THe only other one I can think of is How long are you going to be around wanting to do this job? We need youngish conservative people.
Excellent points, neat presentation. The "old and cantacerous" leads me to the following: As much as I admire him, Scalia is not a great choice as Rehnquist's replacement. Chief Justice must moderate between the Associates, referee as it were, and Scalia is more valuable as a free agent. I think when that opens up, put forth Thomas. Let the Dems take heat for denying the first black Chief in history, while trying to make the case that a man who sailed through his initial confirmation hearings is suddenly too radical.
Yes, I know we are now considering O'Conner's replacement, but if we do not gear up for Rehnquist, we will be playing catch-up. To follow your pool analogy, if you ain't thinking three shots ahead, the other man is about to take yo' money.
Aside to William Tell, questions on specific cases and issues are inappropriate. Imagine, if you will, you are charged with, say, DWI. Your hearing judge is also head of the local MADD chapter, lost a relative in to an accident involving a really drunk driver, and is outspoken on maxing out penalties for DWI convictions. If you are charged after two glasses of wine and you have the sense God gave a doorknob, you are going to request recusal, or failing that, change of venue. Same principle.
Interestingly, New Republic editorially supported Kelo v New London and chastised Thomas and conservatives in general, in that we were being inconsistent in opposing "activist" judges, since the dissent would have reversed 50 years of rulings expanding the definition of "public use". By that standard, they would have opposed a reversal of Dred Scott.
I know we are now discussing O'Conner's replacement. To follow your pool analogy, if you ain't thinking three shots ahead, I'm going to take yo' money.
For life? Is a justice brain dead? No, only half dead. Can keep his (her) job. Pilots of jet airplanes get retested frequently. Reconfirm justices every decade or so. More frequently after 75.