Cheif Justice Scalia?

[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.

[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.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

When they adopt the rules at the beginning of the Congress the 3/5 cloture rule could be revised or eliminated.  However, what goes around comes around.  The GOP will not be able to hold onto the Senate for ever.  If the Senate reduces the margin, it will stay reduced and keep the GOP from being able to filibuster when they return to the minority.  I can't see the GOP beng so reckless as to eliminate the filibuster.  Lowering the margin is possible tho.  At one time it took a 2/3 majority to cut off debate. 

4/7 = 58
5/9 = 56
6/11 =55