Hypothetical: Clarence Thomas leaves the USSC (for whatever reason). Who should replace him?

[YoungDemCA]

In this 2016 hypothetical/scenario, Democrats win both the White House and the Senate (the latter with plenty of seats to spare), and let's say at least come close to winning the House of Representatives - just for the sake of argument.

For whatever reason (say, an unexpected illness, or the Senate finally having the wherewithal and votes to impeach Thomas on charges involving his failure to report his wife's income- income which came from right-wing activist organizations), Clarence Thomas leaves the Supreme Court in early 2017. (And there was much rejoicing.. )

Now, imagine that you are a senior adviser to the new Democratic President. Keeping in mind the symbolism of having at least one "African-American seat" on the Court - with liberal icon Thurgood Marshall being there before Thomas, and both of them being black men - who would be your preferred nominee, that would replace Thomas?

[leftofcool]

1. A woman. I think Elizabeth Warren

She would be there for life.

[brush]

2. He's not leaving — they'll have to carry his dead body out

And the corpse will be kicking and screaming to stay.

[rurallib]

4. might be hard to tell he is dead based on reports

of his activity during arguments.

[brush]

7. Heehee, yep! nt

[NCTraveler]

3. The one place I would like to see Hillary over the Presidency. nt.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

5. An empty chair. So same thing basically. nt

[Generic Other]

12. Clint Eastwood approves of this idea

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

6. While pretty much anybody would be an improvement,

how about Al Sharpton? I'd say Barbara Lee, but she's about a decade older, and John Lewis is older yet.

[Volaris]

8. Barack Obama.

No one would be better qualified to slap down the overzelousness of the Imperial Presidency.
The more interesting question is, would he.
my money's on yes...but I understand the over/under on that bet is probably closer to even odds soooo...

[gladium et scutum]

9. The Best Qualified. n/t

[hifiguy]

10. Would this much-to-be-desired event come to pass

My first choices would be Goodwin Liu or Erwin Chemerinsky.

Determining that Uncle Ruckus is actually dead may be the difficult bit.

[bornskeptic]

11. Kamela Harris or Loretta Lynch n/t

[Terra Alta]

13. Barack Obama.

After two successful terms as President, I can't think of a better place for him to be. Plus, it would piss of the right-wingers to no end.

[AngryAmish]

14. Mike Huckabee

No doubt.

[AngryAmish]

15. Or Morganna.

[jmowreader]

16. A sack of barley would be a better Supreme Court justice than Clarence Thomas

I kinda like Marilyn Mosby...

http://www.stattorney.org/office/meet-marilyn-mosby

She is only 35, so the age and experience thing is an issue...she learns VERY quickly, tho, and is suitably liberal.