Sunday, September 04, 2005
Filling the next open slot.
UPDATE 9/5 Bush chooses current nominee John Roberts for the Chief Justice slot. A very shrewd move. Roberts was considered a "safe" pick from the start and he'll still be confirmed, though not as easily if it were for just an Associate Justice slot. He will have big shoes to fill. Rheinquist was a conservative's conservative, nudging the court back to the right after decades of movement left. I wish it were Thomas, but he's just too controversial a selection for a President being blasted daily, and deservedly slow, for the slow response to Hurricane Katrina.
Most people figured that William Rheinquist would have to be replaced on the Supreme Court during this current presidential term. There are two slots to be filled. One is the justice slot now opened. The other is the Chief Justice role. I'll make my choices here, with a little analysis as to why.
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
...and the winner is: Clarence Thomas
There is more than just practical politics at work here. Thomas is an outstanding justice who would rightly represent the conservative path the court needs to take. Being the first Black Chief Justice in our country's history would be great too, although not many liberal blacks believe Thomas is black after all. He's too controversial for Bush to pick, but he's my man. It will likely go to Scalia, and I can't stand it because he is such a turncoat.
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court
...and the winner is: Edith Clement
Smart, principled, conservative and not controversial, Clement is another "safe" pick that would work for President Bush. She was the early front runner before John Roberts was picked. She's another justice who would have a routine, yet partisan path to the Court. The added political bonus is that she would fill the woman's slot vacated by Sandra Day O'Connor.
All in all, this will be a very, very interesting time to see what new direction the court will take. The President just had another helping of political crisis added to an already overflowing plate.
Most people figured that William Rheinquist would have to be replaced on the Supreme Court during this current presidential term. There are two slots to be filled. One is the justice slot now opened. The other is the Chief Justice role. I'll make my choices here, with a little analysis as to why.
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
...and the winner is: Clarence Thomas
There is more than just practical politics at work here. Thomas is an outstanding justice who would rightly represent the conservative path the court needs to take. Being the first Black Chief Justice in our country's history would be great too, although not many liberal blacks believe Thomas is black after all. He's too controversial for Bush to pick, but he's my man. It will likely go to Scalia, and I can't stand it because he is such a turncoat.
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court
...and the winner is: Edith Clement
Smart, principled, conservative and not controversial, Clement is another "safe" pick that would work for President Bush. She was the early front runner before John Roberts was picked. She's another justice who would have a routine, yet partisan path to the Court. The added political bonus is that she would fill the woman's slot vacated by Sandra Day O'Connor.
All in all, this will be a very, very interesting time to see what new direction the court will take. The President just had another helping of political crisis added to an already overflowing plate.
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