I know one of Justice Thomas's former clerks. He takes a back seat to no-one on sheer intellectual horsepower. He also is a good man, which probably is more important
Too true. My impression on the oral arguments is that Justice Thomas is not out to play games, or to convince any other justice. Oral arguements are not binding - written opinions are. Besides, it's too easy for a justice to seemingly hold a position in arguement, only to be blown away by their actual opinion.
I agree, Justice Thomas is a good man. I like Justice Scalia as well. The dims will go ballistic either way, so why not pick a CJ that might serve another quarter of a century?
Lastly, IIRC Thomas and Scalia are the ONLY two justices besides Rehnquist that have not stated that their decisions are influenced by FOREIGN laws and opinions.
I would be perfectly happy with either one as CJ. But as you note, Thomas by the actuarial tables will have a longer term as CJ, and also it makes the race-baiting liberals' heads explode . . . . :-p