Posted on 07/08/2005 12:24:01 PM PDT 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
NEW REALITY SHOW:
SUPREME COURT: X-TREME MAKEOVER!
Conseratives are nervous?...haven't been in such a good position to save the Republic in years..
Only need the stones to do so
imo
for only $299 a month you can live on pristine lake shastina.
That is my worry, but it is President Bush's prerogative.
Most likely scenario:
* Gonzales is appointed - it will be easier to placate the conservative base with this appoint with two seats to fill.
* A conservative is appointed. Janice Rogers Brown perhaps? If the libs get Gonzales, we could conceivably get Brown. The Dems would appear as the wolves in sheep's clothing they are if they opposed her while getting Gonzales.
* Later in the year, or possibly this time next year, a conservative (Luttig? Olsen?) is appointed to replace Stevens, who will soon retire.
This is not necessarily what I'd like to see, but seems to fit the Washington pattern, and may well flip the balance on the high court albeit in a year or so.
Nope. He wrote opinion saying it was permissable under the "interstate commerce" clause.
I sure am glad the Republicans gained 4 senate seats last election. Shame about colorado but otherwise the close votes broke our way.
There could be NINE vacancies at once, and I still wouldn't want Gonzales on the SC.
Why is so much energy and thought spent here on arriving at calculus that will give us a justice most of us don't want?
Maybe we can get Don King to fix the fight for America!
LOL.
The dems will "stroke out" if Bush gets to appoint three, much less four justices, but you can never tell about an appointee. George Herbert Walker Bush appointed Souter, who in my mind, has been a giant disappointment.
Of course I was talking about Eric Estrada!!
I have also heard that Souter is considering retiring.
You owe me a new keyboard.
And do these lobbyists see her often, have they talked to her or people close to her about her health?
I hope he's right... "Let's get it on!" -- don't sue me Michael Buffer.
Woof! I can go for that. And I do expect ol' Ginzy to jump ship IF Bush names conservatives, so this will become a "snowball" effect.
wow
Don't worry. Buffer says something different.
If we really get four, and can achieve a better batting average than past Republican presidents for SCOTUS conservatives, I can see how Gonzales would be an easier sell for the base. As I posted earlier, he could also be a consolation prize for the libs on the Hill in order to get three conservatives.
But right now, there is just one confirmed vacancy, with another probable later today.
Does not much matter to me whether or not Bush plays the Hispanic (whatever that is) Card.
But . . .
Wouldn't it be interesting should he nominate a conservative Asian? Hey, are there any qualified Vietnamese out there?.
EXCELLENT!! Latina Elf With Cleavage!
Mostly they need tough leadership from a truly conservative Prez.
Can you say "Alberto is my first pick"?
Just stay cool, do the next right thing, and hope he appoints our best people first, no sitting around "hoping" for more appointments down the road.
oops! Third time's a charm?
That's right "Let's get ready to rumble"..
Huzzah!
Wouldn't it be interesting if Bush Appointed Janice Brown and Kennedy had a stroke? Romney could appoint another Republican!
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