So Rehnquist resigns tomorrow

[TayTay]

Interesting scenario. We have two Supreme Court appointments now. This is turning into quite the year.

So, * nominates Gonzales because he likes Gonzales. The current betting is that * nominates Scalia for Chief Justice and the Player to Be Named Later (probably someone like Janice Rogers Brown) to placate the conservatives.

Well, this should be a good fight. I can see it going so many ways.

What say you?

[Mass]

1. Any serious source of that

Until now, I have worldnetdaily.com and Bob Novak, none of them sources I consider reliable.

So I guess I will wait until tomorrow to continue.

[TayTay]

3. Rehnquist is seriously ill

his resignation would not surprise anyone. If it doesn't happen now, it will happen within six months. (He is 81 and battling cancer. Have you seen him lately. He does not look good.)

In 1986 there were two Supreme Court vacancies at once. That's how Scalia got on the court 98-0. (And John Kerry voted for him, cuz, who knew?) I do think that * wants his good buddy Gonzales on the Court, so he can say he appointed the first Hispanic Judge to the Court and because Gonzales is relatively young (49) and would be a legacy appointment. It's that second appointment (or second & third if * opts to fight for Scalia as Chief Justice) that would be the big, big fight.

I'm not sure that the Dems should fight Gonzales. I can't stand Torture Boy, but he might be the best we can get in a two-way or three-way fight. (And Rove seriously wants to take more Hispanic voters away from the DEms. This plays into the Rovian argument that the Dems hate minorities.)

[Mass]

4. His resignation at short term would not surprise me either

I was just talking about the announced date of tomorrow (between 10 and 11 according to dailyKOS).

I would be a little bit surprised that they seriously consider to replace two judges at the same time, though I understand the logic of it.

I do not know what to think of Gonzales. I am not sure he is as much a conservative as the conservatives would like, but I do not think he has the independance necessary to be a good associate. (a little bit like Thomas who does not seem to have any independance). I am wondering if this was not the main problem when it came to the Torture Memos, and clearly it was the problem when he was in TX advising Bush and did not give him information that could have created some doubts in some death penalty cases. I have to say this is the point that bothers me the most.

[TayTay]

5. You're not alone.

Gonzales is light in legal experience. (only two years on the Texas Supreme Court bench) but he did at least slap down Owens, I think, when her radical opinions came before him. And he is not a total raving lunatic when it comes to pro-choice.

Not much of an endorsement, but this is a Rethug Prez and a Rethug Congress. Realistically, what can we hope to get in this round? The WaPo is already writing columsn about how the 'Gang of 14' agreement on judicial filibusters might fall apart over this appointment.

BTW, I hae given money to People for the American Way. I think my next Supremem Court related donation will be to NARAL. I already gave money to John Kerry and to the DSCC. Any other suggestions besides NARAL?

[wisteria]

2. Well, this was all bound to happen sooner or later.

Rehquist is seriously ill and O'Connor had mentioned she wanted to retire last term. These two appointments should hopefully be it for Bush. I agree with you TayTay, he will have it both ways, and Scalia (I really dislike him) will most likely get Chief Justice. I just wonder if this fight is worth fighting.

[Pirate Smile]

6. I think Gonzales is probably the best we can hope for and I don't know why

we would waste our energy fighting Scalia for Chief Justice (roughing him up a bit is OK, of course)

He would still be just one vote. I don't think it would be worth a huge fight just because of the title "Chief" and we couldn't win (IMO).

Save the fight for the RW whack-job that Bush is sure to want to replace Scalia with because they will be trying to placate the RW extremists because of his Gonzales appointment. I don't think they will be placated. Hopefully, they will punish Bush and the Republicans by staying home in 2006 just to show them who is boss

I hope this is all true but it seems too optimistic for us considering how Bush usually spits in our face. I guess we need to hope his personal relationship with Alberto makes him forget about his nasty, awful tendency to go rabid instead of reasonable.