How many Supreme Court justices will next prez appoint? Could be five.

[Faygo Kid]

One of the most frightening prospects of a second Bush term (and there are many, I concede) is the packing of the Supreme Court with radical right ideologues. Granted, the Dems will put up confirmation struggles (one hopes), but the potential numbers are staggering, given how long the current Court has been unchanged. Here's the list of justices: The first five are all very susceptible to retirement in the next four years. Granted, Rehnquist and Kennedy would be a "wash," but the loss of the next three to straight-line voting Scalia-Thomas types would set this nation back for generations:
Rehnquist, Kennedy, O'Connor (these first three have all intimated their desire to retire)
Ginsburg (health problems)
Stevens (will be 84 in April)
Souter, Thomas, Scalia, Breyer (likely to remain, pending unforeseen circumstances).
The potential Court appointments are a major reason why any of the Dem candidates are infinitely preferable to Bush.

[0007]

1. It sure as hell does appear that it will be five!

That will be hard to overcome starting in 08.

[tedoll78]

2. I'm most worried about stevens.

He's getting up there in age, he has a history of medical problems, and his wife has been begging him to retire for a few years now. I'm so worried about him..

[conservdem]

3. This is one more reason why I think it is far too risky to have Dean

face Bush. I am not saying he cannot win, he's just not as strong a candidate against Bush as say Clark or perhaps a couple of the others. Given the risk of a loss, we should support the one with the best chance of beating bush. IMO thats not Dean. We need an optimist with strong leadership abilities. The more I think about the more likely I am going to vote Clark.

[Lefty48197]

4. Sounds fair

since the last President was appointed by 5 suckpreme court members.

[Iverson]

5. four

You can figure out which ones, and why.

:-(