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...

[ApesForEvolution]

Thanks Matt, and thanks for the early exit polls on Tuesday too, that was sheer genius on your part.../s

[sarasotarepublican]

Excellent if it happens, from Bush the father to his son. I will never forget the shameful display of racism that the democrats got away with.

[26lemoncharlie]

Do you smell something !!

OMG TEDDY JUST FILLED HIS PANTS !!!

Prefer Scalia, but this is just fine

[JohnnyZ]

Clarence Thomas is really the best option, unless Bush were to nominate the new justice as Chief (one hearing that way instead of two).

* Antonin Scalia -- too many duck hunting foibles
* Sandra Day, et al -- over my dead body

Nominee: Emilio Garza, Janice Rogers Brown

[texasflower]

Good question. I'll be watching for the answer also.

[Texas Songwriter]

I'm white, 53 years old, east Texas redneck, and I cannot think of a finer person for President Bush to appoint to that station. Common now Jesse, say it,.. it's o.k.... go on...it won't hurt....gahed...it'll be over in just a moment...

[WillT]

Don't know how true this is, but why wouldn't Bush pick Scalia over Thomas? He has served more years and has more respect on the bench....I wonder if the duck hunting trip with Cheney hurt him, lol

[AuH2ORepublican]

"I would like to see a non political reason not to give it to Scalia."

---

See my post #35.

[BurbankKarl]

Thank goodness.

[dr_who_2]

Bush tease to. When the thought crossed my mind, I thought Scalia would be better. But I think this would be Bush's way of extending his campaign into the second term, in a way. Democrats would be walking on eggs and nervous about going on the attack, and this would give Bush a good start. The question is whether Justice Thomas wants any part of it.

[BushCountry]

He would need the Advice and Consent of the Senate, this would prove very difficult.

[garjog]

This would be fantastic. I wonder if it would be hard for the Senate to reject him since he is already on the court. Lets see, "we can't make him chief, he, ah, disagrees with us."

Making Thomas Chief would be sweet icing on the Bush Victory Cake.

[JessieHelmsJr]

I like Scalia too,but I would take Thomas too.

[NetSurfer]

Wheee! Has this been a great week, or WHAT?

[Cicero]

P.S. I just checked the Properties on that photo at Drudge's website, and it's dated 11/06/2004, namely yesterday.

Interesting. Maybe something's up.

[SnakeGuy]

The main thing the Chief Justice can do, is he gets to pick who writes the majority and minority opinions. That is a powerful way to influence the court. He can always pick himself to write opinions he has strong beliefs on.

[RobFromGa]

The Chief Justice of the United States is the head of the Judicial Branch of the government of the United States, and presides over the Supreme Court of the United States. The office is often, and incorrectly, referred to as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is composed of nine members, though that number has varied over the years, headed by the Chief Justice. The Chief Justice, like all the other justices, is nominated by the President and confirmed to sit on the court by the U.S. Senate. Some justices, like William H. Rehnquist, were elevated to the highest post on the court by the President after having served previously on the bench as associate justice. Most others, like William Howard Taft and Earl Warren, were nominated to the highest bench without any previous experience on the court.

[edit]

Duties

In addition to the duties of the Associate Justices, the Chief Justice has the following duties:

• If the Chief Justice is in the majority on a Supreme Court case, he or she may decide to write the Opinion of the Court, or may assign it to an associate justice of his or her choice.
• Presides when the Senate tries impeachments of the President of the United States.
  • Two Chief Justices, Salmon P. Chase and William Rehnquist, have had the duty of presiding over Presidential impeachments and trials--Chase in 1868 over the proceedings of President Andrew Johnson and Rehnquist in 1998 over the proceeding against Bill Clinton.
• Traditionally officiates at the inauguration of the President of the United States. (This is not a Constitutional responsibility, however. All federal judges are empowered by law to administer oaths and affirmations, and the Chief Justice administers this oath due to the pomp and circumstance. The incoming President technically could choose any judge or any other officer with notarial powers.)
• Serves as the Chancellor of the Smithsonian Institute (also not a Constitutional responsibility).

[tuckrdout]

I expect him to do just that. Hope he does.

Where are the cloture votes? Who voted against it, and are they gone now? How many dems voted for cloture?

[CWOJackson]

Then I have to go with Thomas myself. Scalia would be my first choice but Thomas is younger.