US Supreme Court Chief Justice Rhenquist dies....

[Dr Mordrid]

of thyroid cancer at his home in Arlington, VA.

Dispite being a coinservative Rhenquist was quite popular among all but the most rabidly liberal Democrats because of his judicial temperment, intellect and engaging personality. His influence has been very high with USSC decisions largely limiting the power of the Federal government and strengthening that of State governments.

One interesting side point about Rhenquist: he never was a judge before becoming a member of the Supreme Court. He was a Justice Dept. lawyer before being appointed to the USSC in 1971 by Pres. Nixon and his elevation to Chief Justice in 1986 by Pres. Ronald Regan.

For those outside the US: the Chief Justice is one of the most powerful positions in the US government because the Supreme Court has sway over both the legislative and administrative branches of the US government. This is enhanced by the fact that appointments to the court are for life.

Bush now has TWO slots to fill in the Supreme Court, not to mention naming the new Chief Justice. My bet is that (conservative) Associate Justice Scalia will be named as the new new Chief Justice and the new nominee will be someone to replace Scalia as an Associate Justice.

As for who this new nominee will be: my bet is a conservative member of a minority, most likely a woman.

Dr. Mordrid

[DGhost]

A truely sad day. RIP.

[KvHagedorn]

What a profound loss of good sense where we need it most. Just saw an interview with Charlie Rose done in March of last year, and Rhenquist was quite intelligent and engaging. Without Rhenquist and O'Connor the court will be sorely lacking. Who knows about Roberts? We can hope he has some sense, but then, it's hard to tell..

Just remember:

http://forums.murc.ws/showthread.php?t=53210&highlight=supreme+court

The court reflects the state of society.. good sense in the minority, and especially now. You will be missed, William Rhenquist.

[Gurm]

And the latest news is that Bush wants to make Roberts CHIEF JUSTICE directly! Without having served on the court at all! AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!

[Wombat]

And the latest news is that Bush wants to make Roberts CHIEF JUSTICE directly! Without having served on the court at all! AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!

Actually, most Chief Justices are appointed without being Associates first. It's the rule rather than the exception.

[Gurm]

Actually, most Chief Justices are appointed without being Associates first. It's the rule rather than the exception.

Yes, after looking into this I discovered that you are correct. Just... not Roberts? PLEEEEEEEASE someone OTHER than a Bush crony?

[spadnos]

[snip]
PLEEEEEEEASE someone OTHER than a Bush crony?

How would that be possible, given the current president? (and House and Senate)

- Steve

[cjolley]

Yes, after looking into this I discovered that you are correct. Just... not Roberts? PLEEEEEEEASE someone OTHER than a Bush crony?

Apparently you haven't caught on yet.
Crony is qualification #1 for every position in this administration.
The few exceptions have all quit in frustration.



PS If you don't believe me, then check out the resume of our wonderful FEMA director.

[Dr Mordrid]

For those who are not in the know, which seems like a lot of you guys, Roberts was one of Rhenquists protoges and he served as Rhenquists clerk when he was an Associate Justice.

He's also a highly respected jurist in Washington and is a friend of members of BOTH parties, hence the hesitation by mainstream Democrats to oppose him.
This is leaving only the the far left "usual suspects" in opposition to him. Yes, they make a lot noise. They also make an inverse amount of common sense.

Roberts has also has received the American Bar Associations "well qualified" rating for this nomination in a unanimous 15-0 vote, and the ABA could hardly be called a "Bush friendly" group. Not even close. He has also argued 39 cases before the Supreme Court, which places him among the most experienced of all Supreme Court litigators in the US

In short: if Robers isn't qualified to run the Supreme Court and serve as presiding officer over the Federal Court system, which are probably the majority of the Chief Justices duties, nobody is.

Dr. Mordrid

[cjolley]

Well, his entire career as a Jurist spans all of 2 1/2 years.

I think he's a nice guy and very smart.
But, he is another "originalist when it suits me" strict constructionist.

PS I am not one of those who thinks he will be terrible.

[Dr Mordrid]

FYI Rhenquist was never a judge before he was appointed to the Supreme Court. He was a Justice Dept. attorney.

Neither was Earl Warren, aka: "SuperChief", who headed the court from 1953 to 1969. He was Governor of California.

Robers appointment is the rule and not the exception.

Most people also don't understand that the job of Chief Justice differs little from that of Associate Justice when it comes to deliberations of the court. His main power is deciding who writes the majority opinion when he's on the winning side.

The real power of the job is administrative, and even the majority of that power isn't exercised over the Supreme Court itself.

Yes, he heads up that department as chief administrator, but the real work is being the lead administrator over the Federal Court system.

Dr. Mordrid

[cjolley]

...
He's also a highly respected jurist in Washington
...

He is a well liked and clever guy in Washington.
"Highly respected jurist" will come later, if we are lucky.

And I agree that some of the best Supreme Court members have not been judges previously.

PS Interesting read:
Talk About Your Overrated Job-Why would anybody want to be chief justice?

[Jon P. Inghram]

a friend of members of BOTH parties

Ah, so he's in both parties pockets, I see...