Bush Still Considering High Court Vacancy (attends Red Mass)

Yahoo News ^ | October 2, 2005 | DEB RIECHMANN

[NYer]

On the eve of the Supreme Court's new term, President Bush on Sunday attended a traditional worship service for the legal community while offering no clues about whether he had settled on a candidate to succeed retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

White House chief of staff Andy Card said the president was mulling his second nomination to the high court. The president is "still considering lots of options," he told reporters at the White House just after Bush returned from Camp David.

Legal experts who are in touch with administration officials about the selection process say the president is most likely to choose a woman to replace O'Connor, even though many of the often-mentioned candidates are white men.

Also, there continues to be talk in legal circles that Bush will pick Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, who would be the first Hispanic on the court.

Bush attended the worship service, known as the Red Mass, with Chief Justice John Roberts, and Justices Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas, Anthony M. Kennedy and Stephen G. Breyer.

The service has been held at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle since 1952 by the John Carroll Society, a group of Washington professionals who are Catholics.

The name of the service, which dates back centuries, comes from the red vestments worn by the celebrants. Red, the color of fire, is a symbol of the Holy Spirit.

Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, archbishop of Washington, greeted Bush and told the standing room-only crowd of worshippers that they were there to pray for Roberts and for guidance in the new term. He noted that the last time he spoke at the cathedral was during the funeral of Roberts' predecessor, William H. Rehnquist.

"In the last few days, we have witnessed a period of greater civility in the selection of our chief justice," McCarrick said, looking ahead to Bush's next nomination to the high court.

"I pray that that will continue because it is so important not just for good government, but for the good care of our people who look here to all of you and your colleagues for the kind of leadership that is not destructive or too intensely partisan."

On Monday, Bush was going to the Supreme Court for a formal ceremony at which Roberts, who was confirmed by the Senate 78-22 and sworn in at the White House on Thursday, assumes the role of chief justice.

[NYer]

Reuters - Sun Oct 2, 1:12 PM ET

New U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts (R) shares a light moment with U.S. President George W. Bush (3rd L) and the Archbishop of Washington, Theodore McCarrick (2nd R) on the steps of St. Matthews Cathedral in Washington, October 2, 2005. Bush, Roberts and their wives Jane Roberts (top L) and first lady Laura Bush (L) joined other dignitaries for 52nd annual Red Sunday Mass, the traditional Sunday morning religious service on the eve of the new Supreme Court Session. Roberts will preside over the Supreme Court for the first time October 3. REUTERS/Jason Reed

[DrDeb]

C-Span actually plans to re-broadcast the 'Red Mass' at 5 PM EDT!
http://inside.c-spanarchives.org:8080/cspan/schedule.csp

[NYer]

AP - Sun Oct 2, 1:22 PM ET President Bush, left, walks out with Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick Archbishop of Washington D.C., center, and Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts, right, after attending the 52nd annual Red Mass at St. Matthew's Cathedral Sunday, Oct. 2, 2005 in Washington. Walking behind are first lady Laura Bush, left, and Monsignor Ronald James, center, and an unidentified Secret Service Agent. The Red Mass is held on the Sunday prior to the opening of the Supreme Court's session. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

As tomorrow is the First Monday of October and the beginning of the Supreme Court's new term, Official Washington kicked the judicial year off in its traditional fashion with the Red Mass at St. Matthew's Cathedral. It is a long-cherished tradition of the Archbishops of Washington, especially the sitting one, who understands and engages issues of substance and the political process like none who came before. God love him.

Sources (over at WITL blogspot) are calling in with reports. Cardinal McCarrick spoke of public servants as "workers in the Vineyard." And, of course, we have a Catholic Chief again for the first time in a while, the words took on an added meaning.

The wire reports that a quorum of the Supremes were in attendance -- Roberts, Scalia, Kennedy, Thomas and Breyer. Cardinal Baum was also present, and not looking well according to reports. Of course, sources from the Hill don't know who Msgr. Gillan is, so God only knows if the Wakefield's trusted hand was around. And Ted said

"In the last few days, we have witnessed a period of greater civility in the selection of our chief justice..." [the Cardinal] said, looking ahead to Bush's next nomination to the high court. "I pray that that will continue because it is so important not just for good government, but for the good care of our people who look here to all of you and your colleagues for the kind of leadership that is not destructive or too intensely partisan."

Catholic Ping
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[johnmecainrino]

Just pick Alito or Garza enough with the PC of having to pick a moderate woman.

Pick Garza and make the dems fillabuster. I am so tired of the dems using race when they treat hispanics and blacks that don't kow tow to them like dirt.

Pick a fight with the dems. If bush had picked a fight last time with a originalist the media would have been focused on that instead of the ethics bs.

[NYer]

Thanks for the link and info!!

[the invisib1e hand]

a traditional worship service for the legal community

was there a human sacrifice?

[JLS]

Well since Judge Brown is who many if not most conservatives want first above any other candidate of any race, gender ect. maybe we should just hope for her. Then let the Dims stew in their bile.

[Bahbah]

Thanks, DrDeb. I just a moment ago caught sight of the President and the new Chief Justice coming down the steps of the church with Cardinal McCarrick. It about brought tears to my eyes.

[ex-snook]

The only thing the President should be debating is when to make known his choice of a pro-life conservative. Having to choose a nominee to the Supreme Court has been known for a long time. Obviously the President has had a lot of time to be prepare.

I hate to think he is still stumbling on a selection. Timing should be his only decision.

[Texas Songwriter]

Bush is telegraphing that he is going to pick the pope for his selection to take OConnors seat.

[SaintDismas]

I really hope that he consults with them too. And picks another Catholic. The dems will go crazy. Excuse, CRAZIER

[SaintDismas]

I hope they weren't tears of joy. Haven't been reading anything good about him on this forum from other Catholics. A real lib, no telling what else.

[OldFriend]

What in the world is Justice Breyer doing at a Red Mass near the eve of Rosh Hashonna?

[woofie]

just Tom Delay.....scapegoat

[OldFriend]

So how come he didn't call you for advice?

[verity]

"Timing should be his only decision"

The perfect time for the announcement is when Ted Kennedy is showing signs of high blood pressure. ;-)

[NYer]

was there a human sacrifice?

No, but probably a strong reminder of the hellfire and brimstone that awaits miscreants, especially those in the legal community.

[Ciexyz]

Kudos to the Prez and Laura for reaching across boundaries of faith.

[sourcery]

Theodore McCarrick (2nd R)

"2nd R." Really? Never would have guessed.

[sitetest]

Boy, I can just feel the AP editors choking on the term, "Red Mass." Other than the one mention, this is billed as a "worship service" throughout the article.

LOL.