Given that many expect Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist to retire soon, which, if he does retire, I suspect is delayed to give Justice O’Connor the spotlight, here’s my question: How does two nominations at the same time affect the nomination process? Obviously, the President’s staunch conservative base wants a right-wing nominee, which it will probably get. But if Chief Justice Rehnquist retires, as well, is this possible? Are we more likely to end up with two more moderate nominees, to preserve President Bush’s political capital? Or are we in for two brutal fights instead of one?
I hope it means two moderates, but I’m not counting on it. Your thoughts?
I Hope we get someone who will follow the laws of the constitution.
I personally think if two Supreme Court vacancies exist, Bush will choose one conservative, to appease his core constituency, and one moderate, to appease everyone else (except those whiny Nader supporters). This way he can be seen as a “compassionate conservative” and reduce any backlash against Republicans in the 2006 mid-term elections.
I agree with Will. I think the appointments will go to a conservative (first) and a moderate (with a conservative agenda). Based on Bush’s past appointments of “politically correct” conservatives, that’s my prediction.