Posted on 05/29/2005 10:50:41 AM PDT by bitt
WASHINGTON -- The White House has laid the groundwork to place more conservatives on the Supreme Court,
snip
Keenly aware that a chapter of President Bush's legacy is at stake, conservative and liberal advocacy groups are preparing for what both sides believe will be a bruising confirmation fight.
snip
"The vacancy could come anytime after this Memorial Day weekend, we think," said Sean Rushton, director of the conservative Committee for Justice, which has close ties to the White House counsel's office.
"They have been winnowing the list down for some time now. I imagine they're down to maybe three or five -- a handful anyway -- who are their first choices," he said.
White House officials say it is inappropriate to discuss filling a vacancy that does not exist. They refuse to disclose publicly any details about how Bush might pick the first nominee for the court in more than a decade.
But those tracking the process say the counsel's office has researched the resumes of prospective justices, their court opinions and their views about constitutional law. Justice Department lawyers are carefully looking into the personal backgrounds of possible nominees. Justice Clarence Thomas was confirmed despite allegations of sexual harassment. One of President Reagan's nominees, Douglas Ginsburg, withdrew from consideration after it was revealed that he had smoked marijuana.
John McGinnis, a law professor at Northwestern University and former deputy assistant attorney general in the Justice Department's office of legal counsel, said he thinks Bush already might have made up his mind.
"This White House -- I congratulate it on its ability to be secret," McGinnis said. "It's entirely possible that Rehnquist has already communicated his intention to step down and the White House has a plan absolutely set."
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
Great choice. And when there's another opening, send in Ted Olson.
Hey, this is simple. Maybe I'll be considered for a job as a presidential staffer. How 'bout you? LOL
I'd go with Olson for the first pick.
You go for it & I hope you get to work on the search committee & have many USSC spots to fil!
Not me though, I'm just an old grandma enjoying the peace & quiet in my little corner of the world.
I 'NEVER' seem to get that 'e' key to work when I am linking from the Glob...ooops, there it goes again!
I love the idea of first Levin, then Olsen....
LOL - me too!
Olsen is too old. We need young ones who will be there for decades.
Luttig (4th Circuit) for Chief Justice.
McConnell (10th Circuit) for Associate Justice.
Levin, Olsen are 2 top-tier men in my book and then start the recess process with Bork and others lawyers like Hugh Hewitt and Laura Ingraham for court of appeals! Time to get these lawyers off the radio and into our courts where they can really do some good!
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