US Chief Justice William Rehnquist has died aged 80, after a year-long battle with thyroid cancer.
In leading the Supreme Court for 19 years he participated in some of the key moments of recent US history.
He presided over Bill Clinton's impeachment hearing in 1999 and the controversial ruling that put George W Bush in the White House in 2000.
A conservative, he championed states' rights, supported the death penalty and opposed abortion.
His death, and the retirement of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor in July, has created two rare openings on America's highest court.
-What does this mean for the future of the Supreme Court?
-How much do you think will it affect US politics?
Originally posted by ivanhoeKatrina will be the big political issue for months to come, so it is my guess that everyone ( on both sides) will be very respectful and dare I say, less cynical.
US Chief Justice William Rehnquist has died aged 80, after a year-long battle with thyroid cancer.
In leading the Supreme Court for 19 years he participated in some of the key moments of recent US history.
He presided over Bill Clinton's impeachment hearing in 1999 and the controversial ruling that put George W Bush in the White House in 2000.
A c ...[text shortened]... mean for the future of the Supreme Court?
-How much do you think will it affect US politics?
Originally posted by kirksey957May I express my selective cynicism by saying I wouldn't put it past Bush to use this opportunity to slip his ultra-conservative nominee by a distracted Congress.
Katrina will be the big political issue for months to come, so it is my guess that everyone ( on both sides) will be very respectful and dare I say, less cynical.
Originally posted by rwingettAll indications were that unless Roberts was caught in the act with a dead woman or live man before the vote, he was going to be easily confirmed (70 votes was the over under). Some think that Bush might pick a Republican politico like Orrin Hatch for the Chief Justice gig; others are thinking he might slide Alberto Gonzales into the court (the guy who wrote it was OK to torture people at Gitmo was a little too "liberal" for the Christian right to get the first slot) and promote Scalia or (egads!) Thomas.
May I express my selective cynicism by saying I wouldn't put it past Bush to use this opportunity to slip his ultra-conservative nominee by a distracted Congress.
Originally posted by no1marauderI think Scalia as Chief Justice deserves an egads as well.
All indications were that unless Roberts was caught in the act with a dead woman or live man before the vote, he was going to be easily confirmed (70 votes was the over under). Some think that Bush might pick a Republican politico like Orrin Hatch for the Chief Justice gig; others are thinking he might slide Alberto Gonzales into the court (the guy who w ...[text shortened]... liberal" for the Christian right to get the first slot) and promote Scalia or (egads!) Thomas.
Originally posted by rwingettI know this will not happen, but let's say Bush were to nominate Hillary Clinton. What kind of initial response do you think you would hear from Schumer, Leheay, and Kennedy? I remember hearing how cautious all three of these were in reminding the public that the constitution required their "advice and consent."
May I express my selective cynicism by saying I wouldn't put it past Bush to use this opportunity to slip his ultra-conservative nominee by a distracted Congress.
Originally posted by kirksey957What kind of reaction might we expect if Jesus were to come down an announce that he was an atheist? It's unfathomable, but just about as likely as the scenario you've mentioned.
I know this will not happen, but let's say Bush were to nominate Hillary Clinton. What kind of initial response do you think you would hear from Schumer, Leheay, and Kennedy? I remember hearing how cautious all three of these were in reminding the public that the constitution required their "advice and consent."
Originally posted by rwingettWhat a creative comparison! I like it!!!
What kind of reaction might we expect if Jesus were to come down an announce that he was an atheist? It's unfathomable, but just about as likely as the scenario you've mentioned.
Jesus likely was an atheist, anyway.
It might just be the first real battle in the war against Christian Fundamentalism.
Maybe the true - and caring - believers would become Bahai!?