Posted on 7/8/2005, 7:24:01 PM by GOPGuide
Robert Novak is reporting that William Rehnquist will retire at 4:50pm today when the President lands in Washington.
A source close to the White House tells me that the White House is operating under the assumption, based on presumed knowledge of Novak's source, that this will, in fact, happen. Yes, keep in mind that I am not being told that the White House is confirming this, but that the White House has a good idea it should trust Novak's source.
Third party sources are now telling me that the John Paul Stevens rumor is true and that the White House is now planning for a third vacancy, but not until the end of the year. Third party sources, who I treat as credible, say that Stevens has begun taking actions in his personal life to make arrangements for personal affairs. It is presumed that Stevens is taking steps to retire. A separate third party source tells me that Ginsberg is not expected to retire, as her health is fine. Stevens has reportedly sent signals that he will retire once replacements for both O'Connor and Rehnquist have been confirmed.
One last bit. I'm told conservatives in Washington are now nervous that with two retirements to fill it will be harder to fill the court at once with multiple conservatives.
Update [2005-7-8 14:42:34 by Erick]: My monkey wrench theory: If O'Connor is gone and Rehnquist is gone, it makes sense for Stevens to go too as it would give the Democrats a much better rallying cry to prevent the President from stocking the Supreme Court with conservatives. Say hello to Justice Gonzales.
I don't know who told this guy that Ginsburg is healthy because she isn't.
Secondly, if Bush knows he's likely to have 4 picks, he may save playing the "Hispanic Card" (Either Garza or Gonzales) until the 4th seat opens up to replace Ginsburg because that may be the toughest in terms of PR to replace after putting up 3 Constructionists.
If Bush saves the Hispanic card for the 4th pick, expect John Roberts, Luttig and Edith Jones to get calls from the President sometime this year and Luttig to be chief.
Are you ready to rumble?!
Already posted, just an hour ago. Doesn't anybody search anymore?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1439208/posts
I never thought Stevens would retire while a Repub was in the White House, the guy has been on SCOTUS since Ramses II was Pharoah.
USSC retirement ping.
Oops
I added the SCOTUS keyword to the previous post although a search on Rehnquist found it.
since when does freepers telling you she is not healthy make you more right than he is ? in fact he is correct - Ginsburg has been fine for the last 4-5 years or so. 6-7 years ago she had colon cancer.
She is NOT according to lobbyists I've talked to.
Don't forget Estrada..
This is where Bush would take the opportunity to appoint Gonzales.
Now, Now be nice, most people do search but occasionally and it really isn't that often one slips through the cracks. Not to be upset, we are on the same team.
Maybe he doesn't see a future Dem in the White house anytime soon? Or he's confident the Democrat controlled (yes I mean Rat controlled) congress will put in a liberal.
Wait a minute... we haven't even replaced ONE yet! What the hell is with these 'fu_kin mary's?!
Hear that squishing sound? It's the sound of 54 Republican spinal columns turning into Jello.
Didn't he rule that Ramses use of state funds to build his tomb was unconstitutional?
Judge Roy Moore would make a great justice.
I think it maybe the former.
Nuke 'em! What an unimaginable opportunity if it ends up being 4!
Natalia Estrada
Or Eric Estrada
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