Now that Chief Justice Rehnquist died, do you think that Bush will

[Don1]

use that emergency provision to install a new Justice? Congress is on vacation still and now they are down 2 Justices, so you can see how they can make an argument about emergency.

Wait a minute, was Rehnquist even a Justice in the Court when he passed away?? If not, shouldn't matter.

Question still stands.

:crazy:

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Not likely. The Supreme Court isn't in session right now, either,

so there's no way to argue they have to get another justice right away. The Supremes don't start up again until the first Monday in October.

[kerrygoddess]

2. Doubtful...

Too many eyes watching his ass now!

What does this mean for Democrats as the Roberts nomination hearings begin next week? Early speculation from AP News is it “sets up what’s expected to be an even more bruising Senate confirmation battle than that of John Roberts.” Then there’s the speculation of who will become Chief Justice…

The president could elevate to chief justice one of the court’s conservatives, such as Antonin Scalia or Clarence Thomas, but it’s more likely he will choose someone from outside the court.

Possible replacements include Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales and federal courts of appeals judges J. Michael Luttig, Edith Clement, Samuel A. Alito Jr., Michael McConnell, Emilio Garza, and James Harvie Wilkinson III. Others mentioned are former Solicitor General Theodore Olson, lawyer Miguel Estrada and former deputy attorney general Larry Thompson.

http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=430

[Dudley_DUright]

3. The new SC term does not start until October

But of course, who knows with this crowd?

[Geoff R. Casavant]

4. I sort of hope so

1. He's got two days to make a decision before the recess ends, if it hasn't already. So it's going to be a party hack if anyone.

2. Whoever he appoints is only in there until Jan 2007, by which time we can see if he/she has half a brain. The the Senate must confirm.

3. A CJ is necessary to preside over any presidential impeachment trials in the Senate.

4. If the Dems make the strides we expect in 2006, the new guy/gal is gonna be on the hot seat in a major way -- may need to pay ball on impeachment in order to secure the lifetime appointment.

Kind of gives you a shiver, don't it?

[Don1]

5. Yes, but think of all the damage that they can do by

confirming Bill O'Reilly and Anne Coulter in the mean time.

[Geoff R. Casavant]

6. Nope, only one

O'Connor's still there, she made her retirement effective only upon her successor's confirmation.