IMO, the next 3 justices to leave along with Thomas are Kennedy, Roberts, and

[CK_John]

Ginsburg.

Age, health, and more money will be in play for 2017.

[Jerry442]

1. Ginsburg, God love her, should live to a 100.

But let's hurry up and fill that empty seat just in case.

[CK_John]

2. It's going to be tough without a 60 member Senate.

[Jerry442]

4. I believe that if the Dems gain a simple majority...

...they can change the rules at the beginning of the session. Given the GOP's history here, it's hard to see why they wouldn't.

[Orrex]

3. We should repurpose a chunk of our military budget to keeping her alive for centuries

[Chan790]

5. Ginsberg and Kennedy I can understand...

but why Roberts? He's young, more than others it seems like his dream position and one he takes seriously. (Even if I disagree with him on most things...he's clearly committed to the court and how it's perceived.)

I know he has health issues...he's an epileptic and at raised risk of epileptic stroke...but that's been the case for him his entire life, it would have kept him from accepting in the first place if he was concerned about it at-all.

[loyalsister]

8. FYI There's no such thing as an "epileptic stroke"

If you are referring to a seizure, you are talking about an entirely different phenomenon. Seizures are disruptions in neurological function not related to blood supply. A stroke is caused by too much or too little blood flow in the brain.

Stroke is a common cause of a lowered threshold for seizures (Epilepsy), but Epilepsy does not cause strokes or put someone at greater risk of stroke.

Other than that, you are correct in that it should not cause significant interference in his duties to the court.

[Chan790]

11. No...

I was referring to when he joined SCOTUS and one of the issues that was brought up was that the type and severity of epilepsy he has puts him at increased risk of dying of a stroke during and as a result of a seizure...in the fine one minute, dead the next sense.

What would you call that? They were pretty clear that the seizures were the cause of the increased risk, not vice-versa.

[loyalsister]

13. No

You may be thinking of SUDEP (sudden unexpected death in epilepsy). Still not a stroke.

Epilepsy is a disorder characterized by disturbances in electrical activity in the brain. Strokes are a result of changes in blood flow in the brain.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2014/02/10/mother-thought-her-son-had-safe-type-epilepsy-but-wasn/Y3oioyxruaYytVoVsvjMfK/story.html

[Chan790]

14. Probably SUDEP. n/t

[CK_John]

15. The GOP looks at life time appointments as a ball and chain. IMO

Roberts has stated that he would like to greatly increase his salary. But Congress is not in a giving mood, so I think he will leave for the the high paying speech circuit or lobbyist.

[Javaman]

6. considering how the gop block everything...

the supreme court may soon be down to only 3 members.

[DavidDvorkin]

7. I think Roberts will stay there for a long time, unfortunately.

[NightWatcher]

9. Pres Clinton should put Bill C., Obama, and Tommy Chong on the Supreme Court

...or at least threaten to do so.

[47of74]

10. Get the popcorn ready if that happens.

Especially if the Republicans after years of obstruction no longer have the votes to block the nominations outright and have to actually convince Democrats to not support nominees.

[Chan790]

12. Obama absolutely should be appointed to SCOTUS.

Not because it would piss off the GOP...but because he's actually qualified; a brilliant legal mind; and I can't see him doing the "foundation" or NPO thing like Clinton or Carter, retiring like both Bushes, or returning to the classroom.

He's staying in DC for at-least the short-term anyway because he doesn't want to pull Sasha out of Sidwell Friends...why not stay permanently and shape law and policy for the next 2-3 decades on the highest court in the land.

Edit: I still want Garland confirmed. I think he's going to be a solid jurist for a long time...maybe not the most liberal but certainly someone whose opinions will be well-thought-out and carry some gravity.

[roamer65]

20. Garland should be appointed, then next seat should go to Obama.

Only one former president has been appointed to the Supreme Court. William Howard Taft, who taught law at a university, just like Obama.

I think he would make the perfect 2nd former president to sit at the bench.

[Bucky]

16. Of course none of them could handle the pay cut

Obama will not do government service after his term ends. I wish people would quit getting their hopes up that he's ever going to be on the Court. It's ridiculous. He's probably going to set up a nonprofit similar to the Clinton Foundation.

[Chan790]

17. I can't see him doing "the foundation thing."

For all the nasty things I can and have said about WJC...that kind of work takes a certain kind of personality and demeanor that Bill is perfectly suited for. I don't mean to sound negative or accuse him of insincerity...but you have to be able to smile and act like you're thrilled to be working with your worst enemy if they have common cause and access to resources you need to achieve the greater good.


It's why I'll never get on Bill Clinton for pictures like this one, taken in Haiti.

Obama is, in some sense, too honest for that line of work. I know because it used to be my line-of-work. 12 years as an NPO executive...everything from Exec. Director to Communications Coordinator to Development Director.

He's much better suited to SCOTUS.

[Bucky]

18. I shan't bookmark this conversation and I shan't revisit it a year from now for I toldja so's

But when he starts up a 501c3 and engaging in charitable work, you'll remember I was right.

There's nothing horrible or corrupt about a president running a nonprofit foundation after serving his country. The Wilson Institute, the Hoover Institute, the Carter Foundation... they all do wonderful work. I don't know why you can't see that the Clinton Foundation does a wealth of good in the world.

With all the good Obama can still do, I think it's pretty obvious that sitting in the Supreme Court would only hinder him. But time will settle our different opinions.

[Chan790]

19. I didn't say they didn't do good work...

I said it would be a terrible choice for him.

I think he'd be miserable in that situation, it doesn't suit his strengths or personality.

[Hekate]

21. Finally, a DUer who gets it about Bill Clinton's schmoozing with people the rest of us don't like.

Bill has an overarching set of goals and is driven by a sense that his time on Earth is short. And Hillary, as his partner in life, shares those goals. People accept that Jimmy and Roslynne Carter are partners in their work as well as in their marriage. The Clintons are real different -- but they share that trait.

The photos of Hillary and Bill with people like the Bushes that set DUers to spitting flames don't bother me because the work of the Foundation provides the context.

As for Obama -- I have no idea yet what he wants to do, but if he should want the Court, I hope he gets a seat on it.