BUSH CONSIDERS CLARENCE THOMAS FOR CHIEF JUSTICE

Drudge Report ^ | November 6, 2004

[RWR8189]

XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX SUN NOV 07, 2004 19:02:37 ET XXXXX

BUSH CONSIDERS CLARENCE THOMAS FOR CHIEF JUSTICE

**Exclusive**

President Bush has launched an internal review of the pros and cons of nominating Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as the chief justice if ailing William Rehnquist retires, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.

A top White House source familiar with Bush's thinking explains the review of Thomas as chief justice is one of several options currently under serious consideration. But Thomas is Bush's personal favorite to take the position, the source claims.

"It would not only be historic, to nominate a minority as chief justice, symbolizing the president's strong belief in hope and optimism, but it would be a sound judicial move.... Justice Thomas simply has an extraordinary record."

One concern is the amount of political capital Bush would have to spend in congress to make the move.

A chief justice must be separately nominated by Bush and confirmed by the Senate, even if the person is already sitting on the court.

The need to replace Rehnquist could arise by year's end, Bush aides now believe.

Officially, Bush advisers call any Supreme Court vacancy talk premature.

Developing...

[InterceptPoint]

I wouldn't have a problem with Thomas but I would have to believe that Scalia would. He is 2x Clarence Thomas. He is 5x everyone else on the court except perhaps Rehnquist.

[Tribune7]

Cool. I hope so. And after he puts Estrada on, I hope he brings back Bork.

[rocksblues]

I wonder where Ms Rice Hill is now?

[princess leah]

Bush is already starting on that "capital spending" plan he said he earned...As if the democrats didn't already have a bad enough week (I'm sure Teddy the swimmer is swimming in his vodka now!)

[Malleus Dei]

Well, I'd prefer Scalia, but Thomas would do.

And, wow, what a slap in the face it would be to that witch that did the Demonrats' mudslinging for them during his confirmation hearing.

[We Happy Few]

"Then have all the judges over 65 resign, to allow Bush to nominate new younger ones."

Franklin Roosevelt had a similar idea, except he wanted to appoint one additional Justice for every elderly one. Didn't fly. "The Court Packing Plan." Big black eye.

[GSlob]

"What extra powers does the Chief Justice have that other justices don't have? "
Ceremonial powers, presiding over impeachments, and the power to assign writing court majority opinions (i.e. choosing which justice's interpretation - albeit all of them would be mostly similar) becomes written up and handed down, IIRC

[ClintonBeGone]

Scalia is great, but Thomas is much much younger.

[Politicalmom]

Yep. Plus, he is the youngest. Barring ill health, he would be
Chief for at least 20 years.

[mhking]

Just bring someone from the outside. I'd take Kozinski over Thomas in a heartbeat.

You're on drugs.

My money is on Scalia, but I'd love to see Thomas in the CJ role.

And no one will be able to bring someone in from outside to take over the CJ role, at least in our lifetimes, so you can forget about that one.

[We Happy Few]

His health is not good.

[agincourt1415]

Don't tease me Drudge, LOL!

Bush playing the RACE card against the NAACP,LOL!

Thomas is an ARCH CONSERVATIVE.

[PhatHead]

I'm not sure about that. Thomas is brilliant. He is also younger than Scalia (56 vs. 68,) which is something to consider. I'd be happy with either, though.

[DianeDePoitiers]

I think Thomas would be a better choice than Scalia, for tactical reasons. Thomas is only in his 50's, whereas Scalia is over 65 I think and has had some health problems. Thomas would be Chief Justice for a very long time, well after Dubya is gone. If there is a series of Democrat Presidents after Dubya, they will not be able to do anything about the Chief Justice position for a long time.

[L.N. Smithee]

Thomas is great, my second favorite justice, but Scalia is on a whole other level above all the justices.

I agree.

IMHO, it would be a colossal PR error to choose Thomas over Scalia. While Thomas had a contentious confirmation even before the Anita Hill allegations, Scalia breezed through with a unanimous vote. That's why you don't hear any Democrats (or Arlen Specter, for that matter) bragging about how they tried to prevent Scalia from reaching the SCOTUS -- ever single one of them looked at his qualifications, and voted "aye."

If this is true, this is not a wise use of "political capital." Bush is handing the left a club to beat him over the head with.

[Sandy]

no one will be able to bring someone in from outside to take over the CJ role

Why not? That's the way it's always been done, except for two or three times. Scalia's too old. And Thomas would never get confirmed.

[I'm ALL Right!]

It must be Scalia!!!!

[swheats]

Thanks for the review.

Just one more reason to say HALLELUJAH!

[mhking]

It won't happen this time.

Scalia & Thomas are the best two candidates.

And the "nuclear" option that the Administration ahs been too chicken-spit to use on the prior nominees WOULD be used this time.

One of those two men WILL be your next CJ.