Well, here we go.

Bush will not try to appease the Democrats now.
He has the opportunity to frame the Supreme Court to his political ideals.
He will put a mark on the high court that will last for years.

Scary isn't it...

You know this takes the cake. A good man, who all sides respected and liked is gone and all you guys can talk about is bush not appeasing the democrats.

He did not always vote the way conservatives wanted. He did not always vote the way liberals wanted. But he was a good judge.

May he rest in peace and may comfort come to his family.

May he rest in peace indeed. I have no problem with Rehnquist, but I'm not happy that GW is going to get to name his successor. Rehnquist himself didn't want that to happen...

Well if he elevates from the court itself Bush has the ability to nominate three associate justices. Maybe that is what he will do. Nominate Scalia or Thomas and then name three conservatives to the bench.

but I'm not happy that GW is going to get to name his successor

Well, thats kinda how it works...and has been for quite some time...;)

May he reast in peace indeed

Yes, may he be at reast, oh...and let him rest in peace also :)

Originally posted by ConservativeMan
Well if he elevates from the court itself Bush has the ability to nominate three associate justices. Maybe that is what he will do. Nominate Scalia or Thomas and then name three conservatives to the bench.

I certainly don't want to see him name Thomas to be Chief Justice...the man rarely writes an opinion on anything.

Most liberals dont want either man. Though on 'This Week' the opinion was that maybe O'Connor will serve as Interim Chief Justice of the court while she is still there. I think that would be an idea to think about. I think Scalia is the one Bush will choose, though most liberals see him as a Pit Bull for conservative causes. I think that Scalia will be elevated and then Roberts will be confirmed then 1 other qualified judge will be chosen to the court to replace Scalia as an associate justice.


As for a conservative court, the only day that will happen is when there are 9 conservatives on the court.

Ahh Scalia. A member of the supreme court who fails to recognize the freedom of the press at his own speeches...great

Originally posted by ConservativeMan
I think Scalia is the one Bush will choose,

I'd say that's most likely. He seems to have quite a thing for Scalia.

Originally posted by ConservativeMan
Most liberals dont want either man. Though on 'This Week' the opinion was that maybe O'Connor will serve as Interim Chief Justice of the court while she is still there. I think that would be an idea to think about. I think Scalia is the one Bush will choose, though most liberals see him as a Pit Bull for conservative causes. I think that Scalia will be elevated and then Roberts will be confirmed then 1 other qualified judge will be chosen to the court to replace Scalia as an associate justice.


As for a conservative court, the only day that will happen is when there are 9 conservatives on the court.
Personally, I wish that Bush would nominate Kennedy as Chief Justice, or O'Connor if a successor for her is not confirmed in time. Scalia's a jackass (usually), and Thomas is worse plus he's comparatively inexperienced.

Originally posted by BorgHunter
Personally, I wish that Bush would nominate Kennedy as Chief Justice, or O'Connor if a successor for her is not confirmed in time. Scalia's a jackass (usually), and Thomas is worse plus he's comparatively inexperienced.

Nice dream. Bush's base thinks Kennedy is a socialist.

I don't like John Roberts one bit. This guy is a Scalia in Souter's clothing. He seems to have no respect for the right to privacy and the last thing this right-wing activist court needs is another representative of business interests. I doubt Bush's next pick will be much better.

I hope you guys look forward to returning to the roaring 20s.

What? Kennedy is not a socialist!?....j/k

I dont know I think that any justice is equally qualified, but I dont think that the court is activist at all. In fact it has not ruled on any really controversial issues lately save the 10 commandments case and even then it was a liberal cop out. Now if the court were to overturn some really controversial issue then it could be interpreted as activist.

Liberals dont like Roberts, he is a good man and a good judge.

Who said the 20's were so bad?

He may make a new nominee the Chief Justice to avoid another hearing.

Also, rarely do any Scalia detractors name a decision they don't like (okay Idio, start googling)

Originally posted by ConservativeMan
Now if the court were to overturn some really controversial issue then it could be interpreted as activist.
The eminent domain ruling could be interpreted as activist, though in what political direction it stands I'm not sure. Redefining "public use" as "that use which produces the most taxes for the government" seems fairly "activist", though I think the use of that term in relation to a court is absurd. It is, however, a poor interpretation of the Constitution.

Looks like John Roberts might be the next Chief Justice.

Yeah I have to admit, that came out of nowhere. Roberts would make a good chief justice

Originally posted by BorgHunter
The eminent domain ruling could be interpreted as activist, though in what political direction it stands I'm not sure.

I've usually considered an activist decision to be one that's a major break from current thinking, or past precedents, and as much as I disliked it, it wasn't that far out in left field.

Originally posted by Brooks
He may make a new nominee the Chief Justice to avoid another hearing.

Prescient Brooks? :)


Also, rarely do any Scalia detractors name a decision they don't like (okay Idio, start googling)

I don't like his dissenting opinions in McCreary County, Kentucky, et al. v. ACLU, and Lawrence et.al. v. Texas.


http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=US&vol=000&invol=03-1693

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=US&vol=000&invol=02-102

Torture and indefinate detention without evidence...yeah sounds real constitutionally aware...

Day when we knew Katrina was going to be a Category Four storm aimed at Louisiana and Mississippi, and when the leaders of those states started begging Bush for help with the levees and other needs:
August 25, 2005 -- four days before it hit New Orleans.

Day when Bush actually started to do something:
September 1, 2005 -- three days AFTER the hurricane hit New Orleans.

Day when Chief Justice William Rehnquist died:
September 3, 2005.

Day when Bush nominated John Roberts to be Chief Justice:
September 4, 2005.

Priorities, you know.