Posted on 07/15/2005 9:28:20 AM PDT by Oliver Optic
Quietly, quietly behind the scenes the Supreme Court boiler is building steam waiting for a release. Anticipation builds with rumors now circulating that the Chief Justice's health is only getting worse. As of this afternoon, he is in the hospital with a fever. Here are the latest bullet points on the Supreme Court saga. Let's just cut out the "sources say" business because everything below is what various previous sources (including my own little deep throat source) are telling me.
The White House is expanding its search of possible nominees, including looking off the federal bench to the state level and off the bench altogether. The staff is focusing on both female and racial minorities for the O'Connor pick.
Senator Reid has, in private, conceded that the Democrats are going to lose this fight, but they intend to (A) fight like hell to save face with their base and (B) work out the best possible solution with the White House on who the nominee will be. In other words, the Dems want to make sure the conservative who is appointed is reasonable, but they intend to also clean the floor with him to show the base they aren't kids getting spanked by the Republicans, though that is what is happening.
Even prior to his hospitalization, the White House is moving forward with its judicial picks to find someone to replace the Chief Justice. Michael Luttig and John Roberts are both getting a thorough review. The White House wants to make sure the Chief knows his Court will be left in good hands, should the Chief want to go on and get off the bench.
Three-quarters of Washington says the Stevens rumor is garbage. The other quarter is right.
John Cornyn looks to be a favored compromise pick. His name has circulated privately between Democrats and Republicans. Democrats want to fight like hell against any nominee, but doing so against a Cornyn pick would further break down collegiality between the Republican majority and Democratic minority in the Senate. Several folks in the White House have started mulling this idea with some seriousness.
The judge who was removed from the list, just might work his way back on. Conservatives close to the White House are doing all they can to put him back on and might be successful, but the odds are stacked against them.
That's all I've got.
Wasn't there one other opening rumored to be coming up in the court?
I hope that website is right about the Stevens rumors.
If true, that would allow Bush to give the Court a conservative majority, finally!
By the way, National Review's Ramesh Ponnuru links this article and notes: "Most of what he's got tracks with what I'm hearing."
What I want to know is this. Last I checked the Republicans won the Oval Office and now control both houses of Congress so why does Charlie Schumer's threat of having a pro-Roe litmus test for judges wield so much weight? Ignore those yapping poodles and get back to the business at hand. I wish the Republicans would one time act like they are in power.
Two hours ago he said he will not resign. Gotta think he wants to keep a liberal out of his chair for as long as possible...
What I want to know is this. Last I checked the Republicans won the Oval Office and now control both houses of Congress so why does Charlie Schumer's threat of having a pro-Roe litmus test for judges wield so much weight? Ignore those yapping poodles and get back to the business at hand. I wish the Republicans would one time act like they are in power.
Well, O'Connor now, Rehnquist probably soon ... heavy rumors about Stevens soon ... and by the Lord's grace, Ginsberg before Bush's term is up.
It looks to me like Bush is going to carry out his campaign statement, to name new Justices and a new Chief, "like Scalia and Thomas." I think that will include naming Scalia to replace the Chief.
When you lean back in your chair and think, Einstein's way of making discoveries BTW, the process becomes remarkably simple. See below.
Congressman Billybob
When Bush announces a nominee, Chuck Schumer will denounce it as a distraction from Rove.
Because he can back it up.
He is no doubt a conservative, but I'm not sure how rock solid he is thought to be.
Perhaps some Texans could enlighten us.
Yes, and most on our side think this is probably good news.
With two seats open at the same time, Bush would be expected to "balance" the picks.
One opening at a time minimizes that factor and maximizes the pressure from Bush's rabid, right-wing base ... i.e., us.
From the confirmthem.com blog: "In the past twenty-four hours, one name has been heard and discussed more than any other."
That name? Harvard law professor Mary Ann Glendon.
A Harvard professor? Not very reassuring that.
Harvard professor ... bad.
Frequent contributor to Chuck Colson's First Things ... good.
Her picture next to a quote from some guy named Lonergan extolling the virtues of centrism ... definitely not good.
Her most recent book is about Eleanor Roosevelt and her proudest achievement: the framing of the U.N.’s declaration of rights ... Yikes!
In 1991, elected President of the UNESCO sponsored International Association of Legal Science ...
Uh, I think I'll take Janice Rogers Brown..
it was posted.
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