[alancarp]

Technically, I think there is only one vacancy on the Supreme Court right now -- since O'Connor had announced that she would serve until her replacement is confirmed.

Yeah, that's true, and I'm actually wondering a bit whether she might be asked to occupy the CJ chair until that vacancy is filled. (musing out loud here).

[Alberta's Child]

Interesting speculation. It's entirely possible (and maybe even likely) that we'll have three confirmation hearings in the coming weeks:

1. Roberts to replace O'Connor
2. Mystery Candidate to replace Rehnquist on the court.
3. A sitting justice (Scalia, for example) to become the new Chief Justice.

There would only be two hearings if the Mystery Candidate were nominated as the new Chief Justice. I find that unlikely, though.