[Alberta's Child]

A confirmation battle in this case will be quite different, though. I don't have any faith in the GOP senators coming to the plate here, but I am very intrigued by a long, drawn-out confirmation battle that extends through the summer and never gets resolved. Unlike the other Federal judicial appointees, this one can potentially result in the Supreme Court starting its next term with only eight justices. There'll be a whole lot of 4-4 decisions if that's the case, and then there's a possibility that another seat on the court is vacated in the meantime.

[rwfromkansas]

Do they have a tie-breaker in 4-4 cases...does the chief justice get to decide or something?

[Dr.Zoidberg]

I'm definitely looking forward to the fight, no one with the slightest interest in politics or the future of this country couldn't be. I'm just very nervous about putting the fate of the court and by extension the nation in the hands of the weak sisters in the Republican ranks.

If Frist can't control the rampaging Rinos over something as innocuous as a circuit court judge, what chance does he have in riding herd on them when every stop is out and anything goes on the left? I fully expect the slimy seven to stand shoulder to shoulder with their allies on the left and obstruct anyone the president nominates to the right of Michael Moore

4-4 decisions on the SC isn't the worst thing that could happen if there fight is drawn out. Much worse is what happens if the leftists manage to brow beat the president into putting up a Howard Dean clone just to fill an empty slot.

It's going to be an interesting summer to say the least.

[demlosers]

There'll be a whole lot of 4-4 decisions if that's the case, and then there's a possibility that another seat on the court is vacated in the meantime.

Sounds good to me.