Cheif Justice Scalia?

[dougrhess]

Rhenquist, with his self-made goldren stripes, is getting chemotherapy and has had a tracheotomy (sp?). Will he step down this winter? Will Pres. Bush appoint S or T to take his place? Or if you are a true believer, will a Pres. Kerry get a chance? What role, in a divide nation, will a more Republican Senate play? Will moderates in the Republican party in the Senate (Snow, McCain, etc.) hold the power to pick a new justice and the new cheif?

What are the scenarios?

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

I don't think we get a new Chief Justice this year.  If we do, it certainly won't be Thomas.  It might be Scalia, but not likely.  If Bush is smart, he will strike a deal in advance with some Senators to name a current moderate Justice to the symbolic Chief Justice post in exchange for avoiding a filibuster of a conservative (but not an ultra-conservative) Associate Justice.

[Beefalow and the Consumer]

Choice 5.

Operation Judge-Block continues until every member of the SC is 110 and/or we have 60 GOP Senators.

[Sam Spade]

Scalia got by the Senate at a 95-0 margin when he was originally nominated.  I wouldn't doubt his abilities to do something similar to that again if need be.  The man is extremely likeable and a brilliant jurist.

[dougrhess]

Scalia got by the Senate at a 95-0 margin when he was originally nominated.  I wouldn't doubt his abilities to do something similar to that again if need be.  The man is extremely likeable and a brilliant jurist.

Well, I dunno. He's made some real enemies with his rather bizarre comments outside the court and his really nasty dissent on Amendment 2 in Colorado.

[Beefalow and the Consumer]

I think Thomas is only in his late 50's, which makes him the baby of the court.  Take a look at the supreme court, they could be the cast of 60 Minutes, a bunch of 80 year olds.

Thomas still carries enormous baggage.  Still, it's hard to say which would have an easier time getting by the Senate.

Maybe the Democrats in Congress, after the sound spanking they got all around, will eat a bit of humble pie and drop this ridiculous blockade, but I doubt it.

Oh well, maybe the GOP will have 60 in the 110th Senate.

[Wakie]

Scalia will probably be elevated to Chief Justice LONG before Thomas.  Realistically, Thomas follows Scalia on everything.

[Nation]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Kennedy as the next Chief Justice.

[Dave from Michigan]

how do the 2006 senate elections look

[Sam Spade]

Probably better for the Reps than the Dems.

[Rococo4]

Orrin hatch I believe will be the next pick and if it is him he will be CJ

if not i wish scalia, but i would bet on kennedy

[Beefalow and the Consumer]

how do the 2006 senate elections look

Good summary:
http://www.angelfire.com/mo/zdawg/2006/senate.html

Senator KKK (D-WV) could retire.  That's 56...
Mark Dayton (D-MN) is in trouble.  That's 57...
Ben Nelson (D-NE).  That's 58...
Kent Conrad (D-ND).  That's 59...

If Jeff Bingaman retires (D-NM), Heather Wilson would make 60.

That assumes no losses on the Republican side, but 60 is a theoretical possibility.

Of course, even in the 109th, all the GOP needs is 5 cooperative Democrats for cloture.

[Dave from Michigan]

Stabenow in Michigan could lose.  I doubt we will be that lucky to get to 60.

[Erc]

If the Republicans get a decent candidate to run against Hillary, there's a possibility there...

[Rococo4]

talent in MO will be the dems #1 target along with santorum in PA.....also Burns in Montana barely won re-election in 00

i think stabenow will win, but i cant even think about 06 for  at least a week

[Dave from Michigan]

talent in MO will be the dems #1 target along with santorum in PA.....also Burns in Montana barely won re-election in 00

i think stabenow will win, but i cant even think about 06 for  at least a week

It depends on who runs against her

[minionofmidas]

I'm guessing Kennedy for chief, some ultra-conservative I don't even want to think about for associate.

[Rococo4]

what does it matter who is cheif justice?

i always thought it was more symbolic?  does anyoe know what special power they have?

[J. J.]

what does it matter who is cheif justice?

i always thought it was more symbolic?  does anyoe know what special power they have?

Very little, they can designate who will write for the majority, if they are in the majority, but the other members cannot be compelled to sign on to it, writing concurring opinions.

He has some appointing power of Supreme Court officers, but nothing major.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Of course, even in the 109th, all the GOP needs is 5 cooperative Democrats for cloture.

And no uppity Northeastern Replublicans to decide to show their independence by bucking Bush on the issue.  Absolutely no potential Justice who has written anything even remotely related to the abortion issue can get confirmed to the Supreme Court.

[Horus]

My brain says he'll be smart and pick a moderate like O'Connor who could sweep the senate.

Unfortunately, my gut is telling me Scalia.

[NHPolitico]

Scalia will be CJ and Rehnquist and O'Connor will both retire within 6 months.

[AuH2O]

Kennedy will be CJ. I would bet pretty heavily on it.

Personally I would prefer Scalia of course.

I wonder if any Dems are looking over their shoulders in the Senate. They filibustered Bush for 4 years-- and there are notably fewer of them now than there used to be. Maybe they should think before they engage the President on all his top judicial picks.

[J. J.]

It might be possible to circumvent the cloiture rule; such tactics are not unknown.

[Beefalow and the Consumer]

I'm guessing Kennedy for chief, some ultra-conservative I don't even want to think about for associate.

I hope Bush will start to work towards unity by appointing a moderate (albeit pro-life constructionist) associate.

It may be a fool's hope, but that would unquestionably be the best and smartest thing he could do.

If the Democrats start filibustering anyone who doesn't pass a 100% pro-choice litmus test, they can say goodbye to about 7 seats in 2006.  I for one will start writing letters to Feingold, like every day.  I voted for him.  Twice.  He owes me.