Posted on 09/04/2005 3:04:28 AM PDT by Uncle Joe Cannon
-snip-
HIGH COURT SUCCESSOR
Rehnquist's death raised the possibility the hearings on Roberts' nomination could be postponed and gave Bush the opportunity of nominating Roberts as chief justice, a possibility administration officials have talked about in the event Rehnquist died.
Sen. Edward Kennedy (news, bio, voting record), a Massachusetts Democrat, said the consideration of successors to Rehnquist and O'Connor should be held off to allow the Bush administration and Congress to focus on the Katrina disaster.
"We should proceed carefully and appropriately in filling these important vacancies. With Justice O'Connor committing to stay until her replacement is named, we can and should remain focused first on protecting our citizens who need help the most," Kennedy said.
Frist said he would discuss with Senate Judiciary Committee leaders whether the Roberts' hearings should be postponed due to the death of Rehnquist.
To fill a second opening on the court, Bush could return to the list of candidates he considered before nominating Roberts to replace O'Connor.
Among the possible candidates are U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and appeals court Judge J. Michael Luttig. Bush could also elevate a current member of the court such as Justice Antonin Scalia or Justice Clarence Thomas.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Why would a junior justice ever be made Chief Justice? Only Scalia or Thomas make sense as candidates for the top post.
If I'm not mistaken- this is the first reference of any kind made by the senator from MA to the disaster on the Gulf Coast.
Bush should 'Katrina' the Senate 'rats by nominating Scalia as CJ and Judge Brown as AJ.
Teddy should get a real job.
Is Garza a *TRUE* conservative?
If yes, then Bush can knock 3 birds with one shot:
1) First Hispanic
2) Conservative replacement
3) Minority Chief Justice
I don't see why the White House and the Senators, within a few days at least, shouldn't do the regular business of government while also processing issues related to the Hurricane Katrina disaster.
Well, Bush might appoint a squishy moderate like Alberto Gonzalez - but to keep the base quiet, he'd appoint Clarence Thomas CJ, and Gonzalez to replace Thomas' seat. Or Bush might want to appoint a young 40ish candidate, who isn't ready to be Chief Justice.
Edith Clement may have a lock on the job. She is of course a female.. but she's also from Louisiana.
we're still waiting for kennedy to open his papers on conversations he had with his lawyer while mary jo was still alive and trapped in the car that drunken ted drove off the bridge.si vis pacem,para bellum
Gonzales will be the worst pick.
Garza will be a decent pick.
Edith Clement has the following benefits (if named CJ also):
1) Female (O'Connor replacement - female)
2) Conservative (Not as much as I want though)
3) First female CJ
Kennedy's liver just went Code Red.
Maybe while they wait, we can use Ted's underwater life saving skills down in New Orleans? Oops, I forgot, he only uses those super lifeguard powers for himself.
Yes, I think the next replacement will be Edith Clement but John Roberts should be named Chief Justice.
Let us not forget that Clinton was able to get Justice Ginsburg seated in 40 days.
Kennedy knows he is a loser, and is trying to cause more pain and suffering on the American people.
She is also a friend of Mary Landrieu. Enough said.
"I don't see why the White House and the Senators, within a few days at least, shouldn't do the regular business of government while also processing issues related to the Hurricane Katrina disaster."
Can't these elected ones do more than one thing at a time? If not, then we need some replacements.
Why not Scalia or Thomas--- they're not part of the good ole boy network.
Now that we have 2 on our hands amidst a major catastrophe, we're going to see some interesting stuff.
The justices will be the President's fault. New Orleans is not.
I can't think of why Washington DC is disrupted so much that they cannot hold hearings on a justice. If they hadn't noticed, it is Louisianna that's flooded....and only a small bit of that.
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