Souter to retire

[OCGuy]

The fact that you can predict which way a judge will vote based on their ideology instead of the interpretation of the constitution is what makes this country disgusting.












Fuck.

 

[RabidMongoose]

Originally posted by: OCguy
The fact that you can predict which way a judge will vote based on their ideology instead of the interpretation of the constitution is what makes this country disgusting.

That's because ideology and 'interpretation of the constitution' are often very closely linked.

 

[whylaff]

Originally posted by: OCguy
The fact that you can predict which way a judge will vote based on their ideology instead of the interpretation of the constitution is what makes this country disgusting.

How does that make this country disgusting?

 

[MovingTarget]

I don't think this will signal any change in the SCOTUS anymore than replacing Rehnquist with Roberts did. Sure, you replace one conservative with another and it won't change the makeup, but it does allow for that steady vote to remain there for a longer time period than the ageing predecessor.

Maybe Obama will surprise us all and nominate an old white dude....

 

[Martin]

Is Harriet Meirs still looking for a job?

 

[Lemon law]

Originally posted by: Martin
Is Harriet Meirs still looking for a job?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cheer up Martin, while we do not know who Obama will appoint, we can be absolutely sure it will not be Harriet Miers.

But ole Harriet sure was a GWB mistake, no sooner did GWB nominate her, and then the whole right wing of the GOP erupted in outrage. The only thing the democrats had to do is not laugh too loudly.

 

[glenn1]

Originally posted by: MovingTarget
I don't think this will signal any change in the SCOTUS anymore than replacing Rehnquist with Roberts did. Sure, you replace one conservative with another and it won't change the makeup, but it does allow for that steady vote to remain there for a longer time period than the ageing predecessor.

Maybe Obama will surprise us all and nominate an old white dude....

The most likely "old white dude" candidate that would be nominated by a Democrat would be Lawrence Tribe. Clinton passed on him when he had the chance, so he might be too old to be considered a front-runner now - the Democratic faithful will probably want someone no older than 50 so they can sit on the court for at least a couple of decades.