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U.S. Chief Justice Rehnquist dead at 80 (Kennedy demands that Roberts hearing being postponed)
Reuters ^ | 9/4

Posted on 09/04/2005 3:04:28 AM PDT by Uncle Joe Cannon

-snip-

HIGH COURT SUCCESSOR

Rehnquist's death raised the possibility the hearings on Roberts' nomination could be postponed and gave Bush the opportunity of nominating Roberts as chief justice, a possibility administration officials have talked about in the event Rehnquist died.

Sen. Edward Kennedy (news, bio, voting record), a Massachusetts Democrat, said the consideration of successors to Rehnquist and O'Connor should be held off to allow the Bush administration and Congress to focus on the Katrina disaster.

"We should proceed carefully and appropriately in filling these important vacancies. With Justice O'Connor committing to stay until her replacement is named, we can and should remain focused first on protecting our citizens who need help the most," Kennedy said.

Frist said he would discuss with Senate Judiciary Committee leaders whether the Roberts' hearings should be postponed due to the death of Rehnquist.

To fill a second opening on the court, Bush could return to the list of candidates he considered before nominating Roberts to replace O'Connor.

Among the possible candidates are U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and appeals court Judge J. Michael Luttig. Bush could also elevate a current member of the court such as Justice Antonin Scalia or Justice Clarence Thomas.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 109th; dirtyrats; donothingsenate; drunkenrats; kennedy; obstructionistrats; obstructionists; rats; rehnquist; roberts; robertshearings; scotus; senaterats; tedkennedy
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To: topher

Well, Mary Matalin, I think, is a "friend" of James Carville, but that doesn't seem to make much of a difference :)


81 posted on 09/04/2005 6:28:40 AM PDT by LS (CNN is the Amtrak of news)
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To: daffyduct

That didn't stop them from demonizing "one of their own," John Ashcroft, when he came up as Atty. Gen.


82 posted on 09/04/2005 6:29:38 AM PDT by LS (CNN is the Amtrak of news)
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To: kittymyrib

This is really an interesting scenario. It would be harder for the Dems to demonize two blacks at once (though, of course, they would look for dirt on Jesus, so it won't stop them).


83 posted on 09/04/2005 6:31:20 AM PDT by LS (CNN is the Amtrak of news)
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To: Uncle Joe Cannon

Ha HA Ha. Kennedy is afraid that if they have the hearings now, nobody will watch him pontificate and act like a windbag


84 posted on 09/04/2005 6:34:13 AM PDT by t2buckeye
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To: NutCrackerBoy
Great point that the liberals want to delay hearings until the media can focus on being their bitch.

I think there's more to it than that. With Rehnquist dead, any 5-4 Conservative-leaning decision becomes a 4-4 deadlock where the lower court's decision is left standing.

It's a delaying tactic designed to push the second nomination off until the 2006 election cycle is undeway (possibly even after it's over with). Anyone happen to know what cases SCOTUS has on the docket for this term?
85 posted on 09/04/2005 6:46:44 AM PDT by tanknetter
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To: Uncle Joe Cannon

Here's what should happen:

1) Roberts should be confirmed SOONER all the more reason to eliminate vacancies.

2) Bush should promote Scalia to the CJ level. The Dems would have a hard time balking at that promotion, since it really doesnt change USSC balance and filibustering that *wont change anything*.

3) Bush will then be able to *WAIT* for the confirmation of Scalia to CJ to have him resign and nominate a successor.
Say in October.

In doing so, Bush manages the calendar so that Roberts is confirmed before Bush nominates anyone else new.

THe Dems want to hold the cards to try to negotiate away a conservative vote.

Screw em. Bush should nominate Luttig, Garza, or Edith Jones to replace Scalia. Luttig is best, he's a Scalia understudy.


86 posted on 09/04/2005 6:48:18 AM PDT by WOSG (http://freedomstruth.blogspot.com/)
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To: daffyduct

Here's my email to the President on how to handle this ...
---

Mr President,

The unfortunate death of Chief Justice Rehnquist makes it all the more important
to confirm Judge Roberts as soon as possible and to look at new nominations.
Of course you need to wholly reject the nonsensical notion that the Roberts hearings
need to be delayed. On the contrary, it needs to be accelerated to elimate vacancies.
We need Roberts confirmed as soon as possible.

Here's what I think you should do:

1) Roberts should be confirmed SOONER all the more reason to eliminate vacancies.

2) President Bush should promote Scalia to the Chief Justice.
Liberal Democrats would have a hard time balking at that promotion,
since it really doesnt change the court balance and filibustering that wont change anything.
You should ask the Senate to confirm it within 30 days, ie, the beginning of October.

3) Bush should wait for the confirmation of Scalia to Chief Justice to have him resign and
nominate a successor.

In doing so, you manage the calendar so that Roberts is confirmed before there is a new nomination.
Liberal Dems want to hold the cards to try to negotiate away a conservative vote. This is not necessary.

Bush should nominate Judge Luttig, Judge Garza, or Judge Edith Jones to fill the remaining vacancy, which
would be another associate Justice position. Luttig is best in my view.


87 posted on 09/04/2005 6:50:15 AM PDT by WOSG (http://freedomstruth.blogspot.com/)
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To: Uncle Joe Cannon

The 3D Democrats strike again: Delay, Deny, Deceive.

Dan


88 posted on 09/04/2005 6:51:04 AM PDT by BibChr ("...behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD, so what wisdom is in them?" [Jer. 8:9])
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To: John W
You are right. I had forgot that.

The truth is that his case was different than most Chief Justices, as most of them come on the court in that role.

President's do this to avoid yet another set of hearings.
89 posted on 09/04/2005 6:52:21 AM PDT by AlGone2001 (I'm still waiting to hear from the RNC Chairman)
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To: NutCrackerBoy; newzjunkey

"... [Democrats] need full access to the Media for their smear campaign against Roberts."

Good point! without MSM as co-conspirators, it just won't work.... anyway, once the media picked up that Roberts was a lock, they toned down their attacks.

For example, what came of New York Times rummaging through the Roberts family adoption records?


90 posted on 09/04/2005 6:54:09 AM PDT by WOSG (http://freedomstruth.blogspot.com/)
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To: jwpjr
This administration seems to have a knack for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

I think you are dead wrong. We have lost count of the number of times the Dims have had Bush surrounded and right where they wanted him, only to discover that they circled him when he was on top of a high hill with a lot of big guns.

91 posted on 09/04/2005 6:55:50 AM PDT by AndyJackson
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To: Uncle Joe Cannon
"Sen. Edward Kennedy (news, bio, voting record), a Massachusetts Democrat, said the consideration of successors to Rehnquist and O'Connor should be held off to allow the Bush administration and Congress to focus on the Katrina disaster. "

Why Dishonorable Senator? Did we stop governmental functions when you drowned someone? The business of the country should go on if you kill someone or a natural disaster kills one or more people.

92 posted on 09/04/2005 6:58:00 AM PDT by Wurlitzer (I have the biggest organ in my town {;o))
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To: Larry Lucido

Why would a junior justice ever be made Chief Justice? Only Scalia or Thomas make sense as candidates for the top post.



Not sure what is deemed a junior justice in your definition but of the 16 Chief Justices only three have been elevated to that position from an Associate Justice position. So, history says that 13 out of 16 were below junior if you consider that someone must be on the court to at least be considered as a junior justice.

So I don't know what that does with the President's thinking now. Considering a vacancy in both a justice and chief justice, a vacancy pending approval of a nominee [Roberts-O'Connor].


93 posted on 09/04/2005 6:59:36 AM PDT by deport (If you want something bad enough, there's someone who will sell it to you. Even the truth your way.)
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To: geedee

Who the cheif justice is is of little importance. It's primarily a figurehead position.

I always wondered why the RATs in 1986 threw a fuss at Rehnquists elevation then let scalia slide through.


94 posted on 09/04/2005 7:02:52 AM PDT by zendari
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To: Uncle Joe Cannon

The Robert hearing needs to be sped up, Ted, not delayed.

Typical dimocrat vermin.


95 posted on 09/04/2005 7:02:53 AM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: Uncle Joe Cannon

The Roberts hearing needs to be sped up, Ted, not delayed.

Typical dimocrat vermin.


96 posted on 09/04/2005 7:03:11 AM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: Uncle Joe Cannon

Congress has already done everything they can do for Katrina; they appropriated money.

Now they can get on with daily business, including Roberts' nomination hearing.


97 posted on 09/04/2005 7:04:49 AM PDT by Not A Snowbird (Official RKBA Landscaper and Arborist, Duchess of Green Leafy Things)
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To: kingu
Sen. Edward Kennedy (news, bio, voting record), a Massachusetts Democrat, said the consideration of successors to Rehnquist and O'Connor should be held off to allow the Bush administration and Congress to focus on the Katrina disaster.

the disaster relief is going just fine.

I suppose Kennedy wants to have a senate inquiry into the federal response.

Events are moving so fast that there is no time for the traditional back biting and political mud wrestling that these hacks live for.

98 posted on 09/04/2005 7:04:49 AM PDT by oldbrowser (no one is right because no one is wrong)
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To: rickmichaels
LOL on your "Code Red!"

I was struck by the clause "Sen. Edward Kennedy (news, bio, voting record), a Massachusetts Democrat..."

Usually it isn't written out like that..."a Massachusettes Democrat." Technically correct, but the sentence construction is almost like a major revelation..."a Massachusettes Democrat."

"Well, do tell..." (heh, heh, heh)
99 posted on 09/04/2005 7:11:48 AM PDT by hummingbird (21st Century Newsreporting - "Don't get me started!")
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To: SE Mom
If I'm not mistaken- this is the first reference of any kind made by the senator from MA to the disaster on the Gulf Coast.

Perhaps any mention of people drowning in floods causes Mr. Kennedy some unease.

100 posted on 09/04/2005 7:14:12 AM PDT by Fresh Wind
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