Centrist judge (Merick Garland) is favorite to be appointed next after Kagan

[fortune]

While reading a NYT article about the Kagan pick today, I noticed this passage:

"But Mr. Obama ultimately opted to save Judge Garland for when he faces a more hostile Senate and needs a nominee with more Republican support. Democrats expect to lose seats in this fall’s election, so if another Supreme Court seat comes open next year and Mr. Obama has a substantially thinner margin in the Senate than he has today, Judge Garland would be an obvious choice."
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/10/us/politics/10court.html?hp

So not only are we very likely moving right with Kagan vs. Stevens, but an even more Republican friendly judge may be next. The ultra-right-wing website Human Events has said the following about Garland:

For now, the odds favor the 57-year-old Garland, Harvard Law graduate and former Clinton Administration official. Considered a liberal, although not as far left as Stevens, Garland nonetheless has offended few Republicans. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R.-Utah), a past Judiciary Committee chairman, speaks highly of Garland and is considered likely to back him if he’s nominated. Prominent in both national legal circles and on the Washington social scene, Garland first gained notice for doing much of the legal work after the Oklahoma City bombings in 1995.

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=36499

Note: Any centrist is considered "liberal" by ultra right-wingers, so disregard the label given to her by Human Events. If Orrin Hatch likes you and you anger "few Republicans," you are no liberal.

Wikipedia describes her as a "moderate." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merrick_B._Garland

[CTyankee]

1. I hope not. I want another woman. 3 is NOT enough. Women demographically

represent slightly more than 50% of the U.S. population. I think we should have 5 women, 4 men, therefore...we have PLENTY of qualified women and their majority presence on the court would be revolutionary in terms of the health and well being of our nation (if nominated by a progressive Democrat). Nothing against Garland but just my opinion...

[mfcorey1]

2. What are the chances of one of the conservatives on the court retiring?