The Democrats will try to prevent the appointment of any of these people. Sometimes I think the Dems are trying to refine the practice of stalling confirmation, with the ultimate objective of preventing GWB from making ANY appointments to the Court. If they can run out the clock in 3 and a half years, that's what they'll do.
Whomever the President announces as his first selection, the headlines are sure to call it a "major blunder," and it'll go from there to a protracted battle. Poor Justice O'Connor will have to stay on, as she stated she would until her successor is confirmed. Big bad W will be blamed for preventing her from caring for her ailing husband. The Chief Justice will retire in the meantime and the Mud Sling Media will call it a national crisis brought about by the stubborn, divisive George W. Bush.
Oh, and Jimmy Carter will put in his two cents before it's over, and so will the Toon. And those members of the super-elite True Presidents Club, John Eff Kerry and Al Gore.
Looks to be a bumpy hayride, kiddies. You must be thirty-six dukakises tall to board this ride...
I don't believe this is how this will play out. I do not believe that the Senate, nor the public will allow this to occur - delaying filling a retirement on the USSC.
Why? In my opinion because of the eminent domain case. I'm not saying that abortion, etc are not valid issues. But the government taking private property and giving it to another person strikes a common nerve with many people - perhaps most people.
I do not believe the selection of federal judges should be politicized, BUT, Republicans can turn the Dems on their head. How? By maintaining that there needs to be strong conservative judges to protect the public from Democrats that support taking your private property and giving it to big business.
I honestly believe that Kelo v. New London has Dems scared. Really scared. Politicizing the court may indeed come back to bite them in the arse.
CWW and Congressman_billybob, I send this to you because I respect your comment in all things legal.