Yes, but of course he recently marked his 75th birthday. Little-known fact: Sowell wanted the job when O'Connor got it. Proof? A letter-to-the-editor of the Wall Street journal saying that Reagan should name an econmist to be on the Supreme Court. It was so persuasive I thought: wow! great idea! And the perfect one would be Thomas Sowell! Then I looked at the byline - Thomas Sowell!We'd all pay to see the fireworks if Sowell were nominated and thought his health would stand up to the job at his age. But the truth is that O'Connell will remain on the bench until her successor is confirmed - so there will be no recess appointment. And therefore, unless the McVainiacs come to their senses and vote Republican, the Democrats will block any nominee they like less than O'Connor - and Bush and the Republican wing of the Republican Party will avoid any nominee who they like less than O'Connor. Net effect will be that O'Connor stays on the bench until she cries uncle, and flatly quits.
In that case it will prove important how she cries. Will she cry "Pres. Bush please change your nominee to someone who can be confirmed by Rats and RINOs" or will she cry "Give the appointee an up or down vote, the constitution only requires a majority for this." The two cries would be reported very differently and I'm afraid her tears will fall the first way so she can enjoy reading about herself in the W. Compost.
I don't know about Sowell's health, but historically the Supremes can last a long time in the saddle. Certainly many here had hoped Stevens wouldn't still be on the court at 86. I hope Sowell stays active and influential, in whatever remains his chosen field, as long as his former professor Milton Friedman.
Appointing Sowell is probably nothing more than a dream, but what a dream! "Mr. Sowell Goes To Washington." A big shootout between the MSM types and all us little freepers, bloggers, radio hosts, etc. in the alternative media. The blacks finally realizing we're claiming the smartest man in the country (he's had my vote for a long time) is one of them and deciding they want him on the court too. The black caucus falling silent on the issue. The RINOs with their moist fingers in the wind coming around to our side. The liberals going down in flames trying to win even a single point against him.