Posted on 11/08/2004 10:29:12 AM PST by NYer
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- President Bush is reportedly considering pro-life Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas for the chief justice position should the ailing William Rehnquist step down from the court.
According to a story on the Drudge Report web site, Bush has launched an internal review weighing the pros and cons of nominating Thomas to the top position on the nation's highest court.
A leading White House source told the Drudge Report that Thomas is Bush's personal favorite pick to be elevated to the Chief Justice position, but that the idea is one of several under consideration.
"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," the White House source said. "Justice Thomas simply has an extraordinary record."
One concern the Bush administration has is the potential fight over the Thomas nomination.
Moving Thomas up to the Chief Justice position would subject him to a new confirmation process in the Senate. That could expose Thomas to attacks on his record, including his pro-life views.
It could also open up the possibility of bringing back one of the most infamous names associated with Supreme Court confirmations -- Anita Hill.
According to the White House source, the Bush administration believes it is possible that Rehnquist, who is being treated for cancer, could step down from the court as early as the end of this year.
A biography of Thomas released in August indicated that he has previously been interviewed by White House attorneys as a possible chief justice candidate.
Last week, Rehnquist said he was unable to return to the Supreme Court after being hospitalized for thyroid cancer. Justice Rehnquist was treated for the disease at Bethesda Naval Hospital.
Rehnquist, who is pro-life and was one of the two dissenters in the Roe v. Wade case that allowed abortions, said he would continue working at home until doctors cleared him to return to the high court.
"According to my doctors, my plan to return to the office today was too optimistic," he said in a statement. "While at home, I am working on court matters, including opinions for cases already argued. I am, and will, continue to be in close contact with my colleagues, my law clerks, and members of the Supreme Court staff."
Related web sites:
Supreme Court - http://www.supremecourtus.gov
Pro-life bump!
I'd rather see Scalia.
it'd be great, but i doubt he'd be confirmed.
I predict: this will go through smoothly.
Next, I'll predict that Hilary Clinton will repent her socialist ways.
Please God don't make us go through the idiotic Anita Hill garbage yet again!
I hope that Scalia gets the job.
Stop trying to be the President who named the first black chief justice and name Scalia. He's the most qualified.
Liberal heads exploding as we speak...
I could dig it.
If President Bush does indeed nominate Justice Thomas, it would be a bold, decisive move and one which would establish his conservative leanings for those who think otherwise. On the other hand, Justice Thomas may not want to revisit the ugly affair of his original nomination. The clintoons and others are waiting to have a dirty fight and this could be the fight.
Zot. Seems to be a problem with a few conservative sites today...
It's a trial balloon. This will cause enough heart palpitations over at what-used-to-be the Democratic Party to make Scalia look like Hunter Thompson when Bush promotes him to Chief Justice.
I agree.
I'd prefer Scalia.
He'd easily handle any questioning in a confirmation hearing.
But the Democrat slime machine would crank into over-drive to keep Scalia from being Chief Justice.
The confirmation would be a battle royal that could make the Bork nomination look tame in comparison.
Spector says this court lacks "giants," I couldn't disagree more. Maybe he meant this court lacks pro-abortion giants. Scalia will certainly go down as a giant on the court.
That being said, Clarence Thomas would be an outstanding choice as well and is 10 years younger.
As long as one of those two get it, we'll be alright.
I predict that Thomas will be confirmed w/out a huge amount of controversy. The Dems need to save their ammo for Rehnquist's replacement, and other future nominees. Cheif Justice is a figurehead title anyway for the most part.
However, I think that the Dems will hurt their 2006 chances if they go nuclear on Thomas and bring up Anita Hill, etc. Dreging up discredited 15 year old sleaze against a respected jurist who is also a minority will further expose the true, ugly face of the Dem party. I hope that they do pull something like this, complete with black Hollywood morons like Whoppi Glodberg and P-Diddy trashing Thomas and calling him an Uncle Tom, etc. Let's just sit back and watch the Dems continue thier scorched earth policy of protecting abortion at any cost. WE'll have 60 votes in the Senate in no time.......
He's only 56. Scalia is 68. He could be Chief Justice for 25 years.
Thomas is the only Justice on the court that believes in Natural Rights as annunciated in the Declaration of Independence. Philosophically he is head and shoulders above his fellow Justices. Scalia and Renquist (both good Justices) are both legal positivists. We need someone like Thomas who will interpret the Constitution in light of principles of the Declaration of Independence.
Since both are well qualified I must ask:
Who's younger Thomas or Scalia?
Who's healthier?
Who has the strongest family history of longevity?
Whoever has the greatest chance of leading the Supremes longest has my vote.
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