Posted on 01/22/2010 10:56:08 AM PST by Baladas
(Jan. 22) -- When the Supreme Court overturned long-standing campaign fiance reform limits with a ruling announced Thursday, it also renewed speculation about the future of its longest-serving -- and most liberal -- member. Court-watchers are wondering whether Justice John Paul Stevens has had enough and may retire this spring.
During the last round of Stevens retirement rumors in October, the 89-year-old justice did not exactly knock down the scuttlebutt. "That can't be news," Stevens told USA Today. "I'm not exactly a kid." But predictable or not, a looming vacancy on the Supreme Court is always news, and with the court poised to take on divisive issues such as gay marriage and abortion rights in coming years, Stevens' retirement could have a far-reaching impact.
So do the SCOTUS gossips have it right? Consider the evidence for yourself:
He Hired Just One Clerk This Term The initial speculation that this term could be Stevens' last began in September, when the justice hired only one clerk. Active judges generally hire four clerks to help them with their caseload; retired judges are entitled to just one. In April, Justice David Souter signaled his retirement by slowing his hiring. And last year, after speaking with a group of Stevens' former clerks, Newsweek's Howard Fineman predicted the justice would be next to leave the bench. "There is NO WAY he would go into next year without the full group," one clerk told Fineman anonymously. "He's still vigorous, and I think he wants to leave the court that way," another clerk added.
(Excerpt) Read more at sphere.com ...
So Obomba replaces a liberal with a Socialist. Not a big difference.
What makes you think they won't regardless of what Republicans do now?
:)
I'm not surprised, surprisingly.
“Thats our hope. Stevens some years ago, said something about his decision to retire under a Republican President...”
And what good would that do?
Since Roe v. Wade 37 years ago, there have been 12 appointments to the SCOTUS and of those 12 appointments 9 SCOTUS Justices have been appointed by Republican Presidents.
That being the case, could you please update me on the status of Roe v. Wade and Abortion in America?
Olympia Snowe
Nothing. Which makes your suggestion of a Republican filibuster so that a President Palin would be able to appoing Stevens’ replacement that much more ridiculous.
Okay, it’s a crapshoot, but look at the three that were appointed by dems - Breyer, Ginsberg, and Sotomayor. Sure moonbat thing there.
I am so annoyed by your reply I have decided to hold my breath until I turn blue.
Exactly. Some people just don't get it, they think in terms of "the political playground."
Leftists are vicious by definition. Leftism is bigotry by definition. If anyone thinks that Barack Obama, but more maliciously, the cabal behind him, is going to "see the light," they do not know the psychopathic nature of the LEFT.
Just watch Rahm Emmanuel for a while.
Pleeeze don’t retire JP. An 89 year old freaking liberal justice is better than a younger replacement. We may get a better Congress and President in a few years and get in a conservative instead of a liberal.
I think Orin Hatch is still there and he gave us Buzzy. Orin says a President is entitled to his picks.
The Senate, as we speak, is considering a way to ban the filibuster.
“Justice Stevens was appointed by Gerald Ford.”
TAhe appointment should not have counted. Ford was never elected either as VP or Prez. /sarc
Bingo!
What would happen if Scalia or Kennedy retired after 2010, Obama had only a tiny senate majority, and the senate would not confirm any of BO's SCOTUS nominees? I guess the most likely result is that McCain would vote yes.
It's scary to think that Kennedy and Scalia are over 70 and Obama might get reelected....
Chances are good that Scott Brown will vote to confirm Obama’s Supreme Court pick.
I don’t like it, but I understand he has to do what he needs to do to get re-elected in MASS.
“It’s scary to think that Kennedy and Scalia are over 70 and Obama might get reelected.”
The likelihood is Barry will be in prison before then ;-)
I don't want Hillary or Biden nominating justices either.
So you're saying if the Republicans don't think they can "win", thereby forcing the Democrats to select a candidate closer to the center, they shouldn't even try.
In fact, by virtue of even trying to put forth a good, sensible argument against someone who might be even more to the left than Stevens, you think that would be senseless, and that people like me are "malcontents" for wanting our elected officials to stand up and fight for the principles of "We The People" who put them in DC to actually fight for us.
With an attitude like that, it's no wonder we're in the terrible position we are as a nation.
By the way, the GOP doesn't have a majority in the Senate. Does that mean the Republican Senators should ignore us "malcontents" and let the ObamaCare bill pass?
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