If she retires in 2016, then Obama would not pick her successor.
If she retired in 2016, say that summer, then Obama would still be president. He’s president until Jan. 20, 2017. Whether the Senate approves a very liberal justice is another matter. It could be a huge confirmation battle, but he would still be the man to pick Supreme Court justices at that time.
Right. Hildebeast would.
He’s in office till Jan 2017, so if she retires in ‘16, at the end of the Court’s term in June, why wouldn’t he appoint her successor? Not that she would retire in an election year, but what if she (or any of the others) dies? He does the appointing thru 2016. The Senate could delay if they were so inclined.